Shillong, Oct 2: Health and Family Welfare Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Monday attended the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day commemorated at Nazareth hospital, Laitumkhrah here, where she highlighted Meghalaya’s very low blood donation percentage of just 18 percent in comparison to the national average of 100 percent.
Lyngdoh appealed to citizens of the state to come forward in this critical mission, so as to ensure that Ayushman Bhav and Sewa Pakhwada penetrate to every family and nook and corner in the state.
Safe transfusion of plasma and blood for critical care is as vital as voluntary donation to ensure that citizens truly benefit from the universal coverage of ‘affordable health care for all’, she said while adding that valuable blood donated by all recognized blood-donating organizations to certified blood storage centers is a critical point for the state of Meghalaya.
Urging the communities have to come forward with an open mind to inculcate the practice of regular blood donation, she pointed out that myths and misconceptions in relation to blood donation continue to challenge blood donation in the state of Meghalaya.
She further said the average coverage is compensation through the common practice of blood replacement, which often involves a monetary exchange between the patient party and the donor, which is a bad practice.
Remembering the ‘Father of the Nation’ Mahatma K Gandhi on his birth anniversary, speakers at the programme lauded the contributions of this great leader to the nation. Also recognizing the contributions made by all concerned, over 45 blood donation organizations across East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi Districts were felicitated. The gathering also took a pledge to a committed and dedicated responsibility for the popularization of blood donation.
