Dr Jai Gopal Jolly who was known as "Father of Transfusion Medicine in India" passed away on Saturday. He was 87. The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) here, where he served for around three decades, confirmed the news of his demise.
Dr Jolly was so popular for his immense contribution in the field of voluntary blood donation that the entire country celebrates his birthday on October 1 as the 'National Voluntary Blood Donation Day'.
The professor emeritus at the PGIMER, Dr Jolly, was better known for his campaign against the phenomenon of sale and purchase of the blood. Later, Central government also incorporated his work into country's National Blood Policy.
"He was pioneer in true sense. He didn't only oppose a wrong practice in the society but also gave an alternative in the shape of voluntary blood donation movement," said Dr IC Pathak, former director, PGIMER.
"He was a fine human being. My association with him dates back to 1960s, when he joined the institute," he said.
Terming his contributions as immeasurable, PGIMER former director Dr BNS Waliasaid, "The coming generations will always remember him for saving blood from becoming a commodity," he said. The movement he pioneered saved thousands of lives every year, said Dr Walia.
Dr Jolly was invited by the then chief minister Pratap Singh Kairon to join the PGIMER. According to the PGIMER press release, Dr Jolly joined the institute on 1st October 1963. He was also the founder head of PGIMER's department of Transfusion Medicine.
{{/usCountry}}Dr Jolly was invited by the then chief minister Pratap Singh Kairon to join the PGIMER. According to the PGIMER press release, Dr Jolly joined the institute on 1st October 1963. He was also the founder head of PGIMER's department of Transfusion Medicine.
{{/usCountry}}"He was the pioneer of voluntary blood donation movement in the country and it is due to his efforts that Chandigarh has highest voluntary donor of 90% in the country."
Not only this , he also started MD Transfusion Medicine programme in the country to generate the technical manpower for the upgradation of the specialty and improvement in the blood transfusion services in the country.
The cremation will take place at 2pm at Cremation Ground in Sector 25 on Monday.