Kolkata, October 1 (H.S.): On National Voluntary Blood Donation Day, a programme was organised at Swasthya Bhavan on Thursday by the State Blood Transfusion Council. Health and Family Welfare Minister Shardwat Mukhopadhyay said that while donating blood, the donor’s caste, religion or political identity is not considered. When blood is needed, only human identity matters.

He said that a blood donor does not know whose life their blood will save. The same blood can become life-saving for a parent, grandparent or child. Appealing for regular voluntary blood donation, he said that the body of a healthy person replenishes the donated blood within a certain period, which makes blood donation different in importance from many other forms of donation.

The minister praised the contributions of regular blood donors, including employees of the Health Department and NCC students. He also stressed the need to ensure that blood donation is carried out in accordance with the law. Citing the example of a private blood bank, he said that a 13-year-old child had been made to donate blood by offering an inducement. He appealed to people to remain alert to such irregularities.

Several donors who had donated blood more than hundred times were honoured at the programme. A voluntary blood donation camp was also organised at Swasthya Bhavan.

Health Department Principal Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam, Dr. Indrajit Saha, Dr. Swapan Soren, Dr. Nitaichandra Mandal, Dr. Vijayprasad Mukhopadhyay, departmental officials and NCC students were present at the programme.

The programme began with Vande Mataram and the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. Dr. Swapan Soren appealed to people to donate blood voluntarily, without any inducement. The programme concluded with the national anthem.

Hindusthan Samachar / Santosh Madhup