Youngsters lead the way in blood donation in Bhopal
As the world observes World Blood Donor Day on June 14, Bhopal sees a rise in number of groups dedicated to blood donation.
As the world observes World Blood Donor Day on June 14, Bhopal sees a rise in number of groups dedicated to blood donation.
“Around 90% of blood donors in Bhopal belong to the age group of 20-35 and all the donations are voluntary in nature. We receive enthusiastic young participants whenever we organise camps in colleges and hostels,” says Dr Manisha Shrivastav, blood bank officer, Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre (BMHRC).
“People willingly approach us for donation. We remain in regular contact with social workers and donor organisations besides various companies, colleges and offices who excitedly participate. In fact we have many families registered with us who donate blood on their important days like anniversaries and birthdays. This is motivating,” she adds.
In Bhopal, besides the blood banks, there are many groups, formed and maintained by youngsters, holding awareness drives and camps across the city in collaboration with hospitals and blood banks. Experts say it is a positive trend youngsters are picking up.
“We keep holding blood donation camps in different colleges of Bhopal. We have also launched an online project – ‘www.rotaractmanit.com’ which will come into force from July,”shares Rupesh Vishwakarma, final year engineering student at MANIT who leads an enthusiastic group of 40 youngsters from across Bhopal.
“This will maintain a database of all the donors in town, with their respective blood groups and contact numbers.” The head of department of pathology, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal Dr RK Nigam says, “I do not remember a single case in past three years where a death has been recorded due to non-availability of required blood, thanks to the donors.”
Monika Verma, a literature student shares, “My mother died due to scarcity of blood 10 years back and since then I pledged to donate blood once in two months. I have never backed out from that and seeing me, my friends also have started doing the same and the chain goes on.”
Hamidia hospital, the teaching hospital of Gandhi Medical College will organise a poster competition at NCC headquarters along with three blood donation camps in different parts of the city on Tuesday.