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The call for blood donation by the Society.
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A volunteer donates blood at Life Line Blood Bank
of Karnataka Haemophilia Society in Davangere. |
A group of
voluntary blood donors in Davangere town have come together to contribute their
bit in the fight against Covid-19.
They have not
just donated blood themselves, they have also encouraged several others to do
so.
As many as
220 donors have so far donated blood, responding to the call given by Life Line
Blood Bank, of Karnataka Haemophilia Society (KHS), Davangere.
Soon after
the lockdown, the blood bank took to social media platforms, requesting people
to donate blood to save lives.
KHS launched
the campaign ‘Life Line’ to encourage voluntary blood donation about 20 years
ago. The campaign ended in commissioning of the blood bank.
According to
Dr M M Daddikoppad, the blood bank officer, they anticipated shortage of blood
as India began reporting Covid-19 cases. Availability of blood has come down by
40% after the lockdown was enforced.
“We wanted to
handle any situation arising out of blood donation camps not being organised.
We contacted our donors and made a request on social media platforms,”
Daddikoppad told DH.
The blood
bank has been able to collect over 210 units of blood in the last one month.
“We knew
availability of blood would be a problem. I wanted to do something in the wake
of Covid-19 and voluntarily donated blood,” Lohit S Hatti, a donor, told DH.
About 50
people donated blood for the first time in their lives.
Based on the
need and request, the blood bank provided blood to nursing homes, hospitals and
the district hospital.
“The blood
was given free to patients suffering from haemophilia and thalassaemia. It was
also used to treat other bleeding disorders,” Dr Suresh Hanagawadi, president,
KHS, said.
According to
some donors, they did face hurdles on the way to the blood bank. However, the
health officials and the police, on learning about the noble cause, granted
permission to go to the blood bank.
“We take
utmost precaution as per the guidelines before collecting blood. We complete
the required procedures before the blood collection,” Daddikoppad said.
-Jagadish
Angadi
