Mangaluru: A host of events marked Blood Donation Day celebrations at the AJ Hospital and Reserch Centre, Mangaluru on June 14.
Ortho Vision – Fully Automated Immunohematology Analyser was inaugurated at the NABH accredited Blood Bank at the hospital. A new AJ Health Card that includes attractive discounts and complimentary services was also launched.
The formal event was inaugurated by Chairman of AJ Group of Institutions A J Shetty by lighting the lamp. Dr. Badarudeen M N, Dakshina Kannada District TB & DAPCU Officer; Krishna Murthy, General Manager Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Mumbai; Dr. Ashok Hegde, Dean, AJ Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre; Dr. Prashanth Marla, Medical Director, AJ Hospital and Reserch Centre; Dr. Aravind P, Blood Bank Officer; P R Gopalkrishna, Quality and Technical Manager, Dr. Amitha Marla, Director Medical Administration were present on the stage.
Dr. Prashanth Marla in his keynote address explained the importance of the day’s two main events and appreciated the support extended by various members of the community for voluntarily donating blood and helping people in need. Being the youngest blood bank in the region, the AJ Blood Bank has received NABH Accreditation which itself speaks about the quality of medical service given by the AJ group of institutions, he added.
Dr. Badarudeen M N in his message said “On an average 1 million deaths occur every year, and double the number are the cases which need emergency health care. These cases demand front line treatment and a well organised blood bank. A well organised blood management can be achieved by engaging community patrnership. AJ Hospital is doing tremendous job in achieving it.”
Krishna Murthy recalled his old memories and said, “This place where the AJ Hospital stands today was a barren land. It was Dr. A J Shetty’s visionary thinking which has given best healthcare benefits to the society at this place.”
Dr. Ashok Hegde said that public awareness is the best way to educate people about donating blood. “All healthy person can donate blood. Every year if one person donates blood 4 times, starting from 18 years to 60 years, then he will be saving 500 lives. I appreciate the noble deed of all blood donors for helping the needy patients and putting back the smile on their face,” he said.
Chairman of AJ Group of Institutions A J Shetty thanked all the donors for keeping the hope alive in people who are critically injured and are badly in need of blood. He also assured to give best service to all who come to the hospital and appreciated the efforts of all staff who are rendering yeomen service.
Suhas Hegde, a donor with a rare Bombay blood group who has been always available when there was a need of this type of blood was felicitated on the occasion.
On this occasion, various organisations who collaborated with AJ Blood Bank for organising the blood donation camp were honored with mementos. The AJ Helath Cards were also handed over to the first two beneficiaries.
The event was followed by voluntary blood donation by members of Indian Catholic Youth Movement, Mangalore Diocese.
