Srinagar, Jun 16: Kashmir Medical College and Hospital (KMCH) Sempora, on Tuesday organised a voluntary blood donation camp in which several enthusiastic donors donated blood for the cause of humanity.
Executive Director KMCH, Insha Qazi; Principal KMCH, Prof. Dr. Nazir Ahmad Khan; Prof. (Dr.) Ruby Reshi, Head, Department of Pathology/Blood Centre, KMCH; Prof. (Dr.) Sheikh Bilal Ahmad, Head, Department of Pathology, GMC Srinagar was guest of honor; Principal Madhubani Medical College, Prof. (Dr.) Manzoor Ahmad Thoker; Shabir Ahmad Pandith, Drug Control Officer; Dr. Abdul Gani, Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Pulwama; Prof. (Dr.) Basharat Saleem, Head, Department of Anaesthesia; Medical Superintendent KMCH, Dr. Syed Mubashir; heads of various departments, senior faculty members, consultants, specialist doctors from multiple disciplines, and staff members of KMC. While speaking on the occasion, Executive Director KMCH, Insha Qazi, emphasized the significance of voluntary blood donation, stating that blood is the only life-saving resource that cannot be manufactured in a laboratory and can only be obtained through human donors.
She said that a single pint of donated blood has the potential to save several lives and can prove crucial during emergencies, accidents and major surgeries. She said the blood donation camp organized on Tuesday was the second such initiative by KMCH and expressed gratitude to all voluntary donors for their selfless contribution towards humanity.
Insha Qazi also highlighted the efforts undertaken by the institution to establish its blood bank, describing the process of obtaining the necessary licenses and approvals as a major achievement. The Executive Director informed that the Department of Community Medicine at KMCH has started free vaccination services for children up to five years of age. She appealed to parents to avail themselves of these services, noting that many of these vaccines are otherwise expensive in private healthcare facilities.
KMCH has also introduced free bus service for patients visiting the hospital for treatment. The service will operate between Dalgate and Sempora, ensuring convenient and affordable transportation for people seeking medical care. Principal KMCH, Prof. Dr. Nazir Ahmad Khan, expressed happiness over the establishment and successful functioning of Blood Centre at KMCH, describing it as a proud milestone for the institution. Prof. (Dr.) Ruby Reshi, Head, Department of Pathology and Blood Centre, highlighted the importance of voluntary blood donation and emphasized the need for maintaining adequate blood reserves in blood banks.
She said that in cases of emergencies, major surgeries, accidents, and various life-threatening diseases, the timely availability of blood can make the difference between life and death. Prof. Reshi appealed to young people to come forward and become regular voluntary blood donors.
Prof. (Dr.) Sheikh Bilal Ahmad, Head of the Department of Pathology, GMC Srinagar, highlighted the importance of voluntary blood donation and the need to create greater awareness among the public. He said that in the past, several myths were associated with blood donation, which discouraged many people from coming forward to donate blood. He emphasized that such apprehensions and fears regarding blood donation should be removed from people’s minds, as blood donation is a safe that helps save countless lives. Prof. Bilal appreciated the management of KMCH, Sempora, for establishing state-of-the-art healthcare infrastructure and blood banking facilities within a short span of time. He also commended the faculty members and staff of the institution for their dedication and efforts in organizing the blood donation camp and promoting voluntary blood donation. The blood donors were felicitated with appreciation certificates in recognition of their selfless contribution towards saving lives and serving humanity. The participants were applauded for their generous act and encouraged to continue supporting such noble initiatives in the future.
