KMC felicitates blood donors, launches Donor Clinic

Manipal:  The Blood Bank at Kasturba Hospital Manipal celebrated World Blood Donor Day 2019 on Saturday by felicitating donors and also launched Donor Health Clinic. The World Blood Donor Day is on June 14 and the theme this year is “Safe Blood to All”. During the event, Nadoja Dr. G Shankar was felicitated for his yeomen service towards motivating donors and creating awareness about blood donation in and around Udupi district.

“Regular voluntary blood donors are key players in providing safe blood,” said Dr Sharath Rao, Associate Dean of KMC, Manipal after launching the Donor Health Clinic. “Blood donation is a great service to the society and by donating once, you will be saving three lives,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Shamee Shastry, Professor and Head of the Blood Bank highlighted the objectives of the Donor Health Clinic. “Finding effective ways to retain voluntary blood donors is crucial, and addressing the reasons for donor deferral is an important strategy to retain the shrinking blood donor pool,” she said.

Dr. Poornima Baliga, Pro vice-chancellor, faculty of health sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education felicitated Mogavira Yuva Sanghatane, Mrs Shubha and Mrs Lalita the winners of awards sponsored by Dr. K Sathish Shetty Charitable Trust for the organization achieving the highest number of voluntary blood donations, best technical staff and non-technical staff respectively.

Dr G Shankar said, “Recognizing the blood donors will go a long way and further motivate them to continue the noble work.’  Regular whole blood, apheresis donors and 130 people who helped in organizing blood donation camps, donor motivators were given a token of appreciation. Mr. Vinay Karkera, the president of Mogaveera Yuva Sanghatane was present during the event. Dr. Dhivya K, assistant professor of blood bank proposed vote of thanks.