Mysore/Mysuru: World Blood Donors Day was celebrated at a programme jointly organised by the District Health and Family Welfare Department, Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS), Departments of Social Work and Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Mysore (UoM), K.R. Hospital Blood Bank and Lions Blood Centre Jeevadhara, Mysuru, at Vijnana Bhavan in Manasagangothri campus here on Friday.

Speaking after inaugurating the programme, DHO Dr. P.C. Kumaraswamy said that blood is most needed during treatment of accident and mishap victims, child birth, anaemic patients, conduct of major surgeries & such other emergencies.

Pointing out that the Government is working at making India anaemia-free, he said that the World Blood Donors Day serves to thank voluntary and unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood and to raise awareness on the need for donation of safe blood and blood products.

“The theme of World Blood Donors Day changes every year and this year the theme is ‘2024-Celebrating 20 years of Giving: Thank You Blood Donors,’ he said and highlighted the importance of donating blood and supporting communities.

He also called for more people to become voluntary donors and thus become life-savers by donating blood to people unknown to them.

UoM Vice-Chancellor Prof. N.K. Lokanath, District AIDS Control Officer Dr. Mohammad Siraj Ahmed, K.R. Hospital Blood Bank Officer Dr. Kusuma, Head of Department of Social Work (UoM) Dr. Chandramouli, Department faculty Dr. H.P. Jyothi, Head of Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Dr. Sapna, Lions Blood Centre Jeevadhara Managing Trustee S.E. Girish, Executive Trustee C.G. Muthanna and others were present.