Emergency Blood Donation Camp Held in Banki Amid Intense Summer Heat to Address Blood Shortage
Banki, 06/05: Due to the ongoing severe summer heatwave across the state, Odisha’s blood banks are facing an acute shortage of blood. To tackle this crisis, the International Council for Education, Employment, and Empowerment (ICEEE), Bhubaneswar, organized an emergency blood donation camp at Goyalbank High School in Banki-Dampada block.
The camp was inaugurated by Dr. Sudhanshu Sekhar Mishra, Principal of SCB Medical College, Cuttack, who emphasized that blood donation is one of the greatest acts of charity. He stated that a single unit of donated blood can save multiple lives. Given the current summer season, the shortage in blood banks is critical, and such initiatives are commendable. He congratulated the organizers and urged more rural youths, both male and female, to participate in blood donation drives.
The event was conducted under the guidance of ICEEE Chief Executive Officer Pradeep Tripathy. The camp was a collaborative effort between ICEEE Bhubaneswar, Sai Samarth Hospital (Jatamundia), and social organization Astitva.
Experienced healthcare professionals and staff from Sai Samarth Hospital conducted health screenings for blood donors and raised awareness about the importance of blood donation. Additionally, doctors from the hospital’s ophthalmology, dental, and general medicine departments provided free health checkups to those attending the camp.
Dr. Mishra also honored several local personalities for their contribution to social service. Notable donors at the camp included Chinmay Kumar Singh, Bipin Sutar, Madhusmita Ray, Manmath Das, and Subhasini Raut.
The program was coordinated by Padmalochan Mahapatra, a representative of ICEEE. During his address, Pradeep Tripathy announced that the organization plans to observe this day annually as “Banki Blood Donation Day.”
Distinguished guests present at the event included School Headmistress Manjulata Subudhi, Sai Samarth Hospital Director Abhinash Swain, School Committee President Bipin Sutar, Bhogipur Sarpanch Santosh Sutar, Goyalbank Primary Health Center CHO Subarna Pradhan, CRP Chakradhar Pradhan, and Bhogipur Forester Anam Kumar Hemram. They encouraged and motivated the blood donors.
Under the supervision of Dr. Binayak Prusty from Cuttack Red Cross, lab technicians Ranjan Kumar Das, Bijay Kumar Singh, and Saroj Mohanty collected blood from the donors.
Gautam Mishra, editor of the prominent social organization Astitva and a journalist, also supported the camp and boosted the morale of the donors through his active participation.
