ZIRO : World Blood Donor Day was observed across Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday with voluntary blood donation camps, awareness programmes and felicitation ceremonies aimed at promoting regular blood donation and strengthening emergency blood reserves.
In Itanagar, Heema Hospital organised a mega voluntary blood donation camp in collaboration with the Arunachal Life Saving Foundation (ALSF) and the Blood Bank of Ramakrishna Mission Hospital.
Attending the programme as chief guest, Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC) Mayor Likha Nari Tadar said blood donation remains one of the most effective ways to save lives during medical emergencies. Emphasising the importance of voluntary donation, she noted that blood cannot be manufactured despite advances in medical technology and appealed to citizens to come forward and donate regularly.
Heema Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Kesang W Thongdok said the state requires around 15,000 units of blood annually, while only about 13,000 units are currently collected, leaving a significant gap between demand and supply. He stressed the need for more intensive blood donation drives to bridge the shortfall.
Arunachal Life Saving Foundation Chairman Ramesh Jeke highlighted the organisation’s efforts in creating awareness and organising blood donation camps across the state. A total of 55 units of blood were collected during the camp and transferred to the Ramakrishna Mission Hospital Blood Bank.
Mayor Likha Nari Tadar also donated blood during the programme.
The event was attended by Heema Hospital Chairman and Managing Director Dr Byabang Rana, Rajiv Gandhi University Department of Social Work Head Prof K P Singh, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha State President Tame Siang Tarh and others.
Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha members, students of Dera Natung Government College and staff of Heema Hospital and Ramakrishna Mission Hospital participated in the camp.
Meanwhile, in Ziro, the Blood Centre of Gyati Takka Zonal General Hospital, in collaboration with CRC Hapoli Youth (26th Youth Foundation), organised a voluntary blood donation camp and felicitation programme under the theme “One Drop of Humanity, Give Blood, Save Life”.
The initiative resulted in the collection of 15 units of blood, including three units of A-positive, two units of B-positive, nine units of O-positive and one unit of AB-positive blood, providing a valuable boost to the hospital’s emergency reserves.
756 Border Roads Task Force (General Reserve Engineer Force) Project Arunank Captain Chirag Singhal attended the programme as chief guest and underscored the importance of community participation in strengthening healthcare services, particularly in remote areas.
A felicitation ceremony was also held to recognise individuals and organisations for their contributions to blood donation awareness, donor mobilisation and emergency blood support. Among those honoured were 756 Border Roads Task Force Project Arunank Captain Chirag Singhal, Indo-Tibetan Border Police 60th Battalion Second-in-Command Ajit Kumar Pegu, Arunachal Baptist Association Executive Secretary Dani Tadu, Hapoli Youth Organisation General Secretary and Ziro Residents’ East Vice Chief Hage Duyu, CRC Hapoli General Secretary Jiren Teron, St Claret College Ziro National Service Scheme Programme Officers Tage Tagyung and Nending Sumpi, District Health Youth Association President Hage Chobing, Joram Tado, Topi Sora, Hano Usha, Tumter Riba, Pebi Gamlin and Perpum Gamlin.
Special recognition was accorded to Pyagang Tapu for his consistent support during emergencies requiring rare Rh-negative blood donations.
The organisers and hospital authorities expressed gratitude to all donors, volunteers and partner organisations for their support and reiterated the importance of regular blood donation in ensuring timely access to safe blood for patients in need.
