Since Goa is seeing a surge in
accidents and Cancer cases, the need for blood has also increased. This was
highlighted at the ‘World Blood Donor Day’ which was celebrated by Goa State
AIDS Control Society. The celebration of ‘World Blood Donor Day’ completes 20
years this year. The event was held at the Secretariat, Porvorim. Rupa Naik, Director DHS, highlights the
importance of donating wherein one blood unit can save 4 lives.
On this occasion, a blood donation camp was
organised by the Goa State AIDS Control Society allowing donors to donate their
blood. The camp was started way back in 2004, with no donor willing to donate
their blood, “Looking back in the 20 years the journey has been very
successful. The mere presence of the youth speaks the success of the
function. Twenty years back nobody
wanted to donate their blood, giving numerous excuses. So the success of the
programme shows that the awareness for this generation is very important,” expressed
Rupa Naik, Director DHS.
Further the director spoke about the
progress made in the private as well as government healthcare sector through
this programme. Five blood banks have been made available with good laboratory
equipments to separate the components so that no blood is wasted. Not only in
terms of equipments but employment of human resources is also. In a significant
step towards progress in health care, fourth generation testing of HIV AIDS,
Hepatatis B and C is also being advocated through the camp.
“Although our requirement is 20,000, we
have exceeded to 28,000 units of blood per year. One blood unit can save four
lives. It is very important that now for the very purpose road accidents are
very common in Goa. You hear it, and you read it in the newspaper. Polytrauma
is caused where lot of blood is lost. Cancers are also on the rise in Goa.
Dengue disease requires blood. Hemophilia, where plasma is needed. So the need
of awareness is definitely there.” The director urged the youths to create more
awareness and donate more blood that can save multiple people’s lives.
