STATE LEVEL WORLD BLOOD DONATION DAY CELEBRATED

June 14, 2024, Panaji

A State-level function to mark the celebration of World Blood Donation Day 2024 organised by Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) was held at the Secretariat, Porvorim today. On the occasion, a blood donation camp was also held. World Blood Donor Day has been celebrated across the globe on June 14 each year ever since 2004. This year marks 20 years since its inception. This year the theme of the celebrations is ‘Celebrating 20 years of giving: Thank you blood donors!’ One of the objectives of this year’s campaign is to thank and recognise voluntary blood donors who have contributed to the health and well being of people. Various associations, organisations and institutions were felicitated for holding blood donation drives and creating awareness on blood donation.

10 Integrated Counselling and Testing Centers (ICTC) in Goa received National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) certification and were felicitated on the occasion.

Director of Health Services, (DHS), Dr Rupa Naik in her address said that since 2004, the first year when World Blood Donation Day was celebrated till now, it has been a journey of success considering the Goan scenario. She highlighted the increase in awareness generation, in blood banks and a healthy and steady progress in health care. She said it was a team effort and lauded the efforts of the general public and thanked all stakeholders which includes NGOs, organisations and institutions and companies working through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and educational institutions.

Earlier, senior Pathologist, North District Hospital, Mapusa, Dr Varsha Munj in her keynote address spoke on various aspects related to blood donation. She informed that with regards to the Goa scenario, voluntary blood donation has increased from 53.4 % in 2005 to 74 % in 2023. She informed that all blood units collected are screened for HIV, Malaria, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and VDRL to ensure safe blood transmission.

Joint Director, IEC, (GSACS), Shri Umakant Sawant proposed the vote of thanks. Present on the occasion were Project Director, GSACS Dr Lalitha Umraskar, Assistant Director, VBD, Shri Vijay Jagtap, among others.

DI/NB/AXP/CR/2024/437