A camp at the venue offered free blood group identification and donor registration. PHOTO: AFP
The Federal Government Services Hospital (Polyclinic) blood bank organised an awareness seminar on Wednesday, ahead of World Blood Donor Day on June 14.
The event, themed, “Thank you for saving my life”, and “Give freely, give to others”, was aimed at recognising regular blood donators at the Polyclinic blood bank.
A camp at the venue offered free blood group identification and donor registration. Pamphlets and literature covering various issues and general questions regarding blood donation were distributed among participants. Blood group identification tests were carried out for 268 people, while 28 people got themselves registered as blood donors with the hospital.
FGSH Deputy Director Dr Zahid Hussain and Islamabad Blood Transfusion Programme Co-director Dr Hassan Abbas Zaheer participated as chief guests.
Speakers repeatedly highlighted and dispelled myths associated with donating blood. Talking about health benefits associated with donating blood, Hussain said that if an individual makes a habit of donating blood every 120 days, it can improve overall health. “It is a huge misconception that giving blood would make you weak or lead to other medical complications,” he added.
He said that there is a need to encourage young and healthy people to donate.
Blood Bank In-charge Dr Sharif Astori said Polyclinic receives about 500-600 blood donations every month and the blood bank has rarely fallen short of blood.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 11th, 2015.
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