Srinagar, June 14: Administrative Secretary Health and Medical Education Department, Bhupinder Kumar on Wednesday said the blood transfusion facilities have been upgraded across the hospitals and medical colleges.
“The government has been trying to set up blood banks and blood storage units in hospitals. All the new medical colleges and two major hospitals one each in Srinagar and Jammu have recently got blood separation component facilities,” Kumar said while speaking on the occasion of the World Blood Donor Day function organized by the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) at old GB Pant Children Hospital at Sonawar here.
“We are far better in ensuring that blood is effectively used and there is no wastage with each unit of blood and saving it will support more patients. We have now blood transfusion facilities in all medical colleges in Jammu like Rajouri, Kathua, Doda, and Udhampur,” he said. “We need to work together better towards the promotion of blood donation. People turn up for blood donations when there is any urgency and there are WhatsApp groups where people are informed about the donations and come forward. I think it should be formalized and should become a regular process.”
The Secretary H&ME Department while stressing upon more awareness said, “I want to express my gratitude to all the voluntary organizations who have been working with us for many years now and have been organizing blood donation camps and supporting patients all across the UT.”
He thanked all the doctors and employees for promoting safe blood practices, saying “We must also promote safe blood practices. We have strengthened the labs to detect blood infection which is to be transfused which is the area that we need to focus on.”
Kumar said the department has upgraded blood component separation in district hospitals. He stressed the need to encourage and appreciate the blood donors who have been continuously donating blood for saving the lives of others.
The event was held at the old GB Pant Hospital Sonwar where a blood donation camp/function was held by DHSK in collaboration with Badami Bagh Cantonment Medical Dispensary. The blood donation camp was inaugurated by Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar. CEO Badami Bagh Cantonment Board was also present.
Earlier, RR Bhatnagar stressed upon the importance of blood donation and congratulated the health department and organizers for holding such camps and generating awareness among people about blood donation. He said saving lives is the most important virtue of mankind and people should be encouraged for blood donation.
The function was also attended by Medical Superintendent JLNM Hospital Srinagar, Dr Tajamul, epidemiologist Dr Anjum Qadri, Assistant Director DHSK, Dr Bashir Ahmad Khan and officers/officials and the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir.
Spokesperson DHSK, Dr Mir Mushtaq said blood donation camps were also held across Kashmir in the district and sub-district hospitals organized by CMOs, Medical Superintendents, and BMOs of the respective districts.
In the blood donation camps, a total of 474 blood pints were collected from donors that include 112 at DH Budgam, 25 at DH Bandipora, 25 at SDH Chadoora, 50 at DH Handwara, 23 at DH Ganderbal, 34 at SDH Kupwara, 43 at DH Kulgam, 25 at DH Pulwama, 73 at JLNM Srinagar and other places, 43 at DH Shopian and 21 at SDH Sopore.
