A meeting to mark the World Blood Donor Day here on Thursday was informed by Preeti Meena, Project Director, Telangana State AIDS Control Society, that only 60% of blood was coming from voluntary donors and the remaining 40% was purchased by the needy in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
She stressed the need to fill the gap of 40% of blood which was acquired by money with voluntary contribution.
Home Minister Nayini Narasimha Reddy spoke about the government’s initiatives in blood transfusion services. A procession of NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, nursing students, Indian Red Cross Society representatives and staff of blood banks was held from Nizam College to Ravindra Bharati, venue of the meeting. A skit was performed by children affected with Thalassemia highlighting problems faced by them in replacement of their blood every 15 to 20 days.
A 24-year-old Thalassemia patient spoke on the need of blood for herself and others like her. “Being affected by Thalassemia, I understand the importance of blood. I thank all the people who donate blood, I owe my life to all of you. And I request everyone to get HBA-2 test done to prevent Thalassemia”.
(With inputs from Mega J Pandya)
