ITANAGAR, May 8: Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.) while participating in the World Red Cross Day commemoration today, here at Raj Bhavan appealed the people of the state, particularly the youth and students to voluntarily donate blood and save lives of needy people.

A blood donation camp was organized on the occasion by the Indian Red Cross Society, Arunachal Pradesh Branch in collaboration with Raj Bhavan, Ramakrishna Mission Hospital and Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) where 103 individuals donated blood including 10 women.

Senior Medical Officer (SMO) of Raj Bhavan Dispensary Dr. Jennifer Tayeng informed that out of the total blood collected, 29 units were A positive, 31 B positive, 10 AB positive, 31 O positive and 2 units AB negative. SMO also pointed that as negative blood group are very rare and difficult to procure, out of the 6 (Rh) negative volunteers, only 2 donated blood on the day and other 4 volunteers were kept as standby for emergency cases.

The Governor, who is also the President of Indian Red Cross Society, Arunachal Pradesh Branch and a member of the Governing Body of All Indian Red Cross Society, nominated by President of India, requested  the Director of Blood Bank, Indian Red Cross Society, National Headquarters, New Delhi Dr. Vanshree Singh and the Director of TRIHMS to make the blood bank facilities fully functional and beneficial  to cater to the needs of the people.

Sharing his experiences in Sri Lanka, where he commanded the Indian Peace Keeping Force(IPKF) as Leading Brigade Commander, the Governor appreciated the spirit of volunteerism amongst the Red Cross workers and cited the examples of the highly dedicated volunteers of Magen David Adom (MDA), officially recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as the national aid society of Israel under the Geneva Conventions.

First Lady of the state Neelam Misra, Vice Chairman IRCS Arunachal Pradesh Tome Ete, Secretary Health and Family Welfare cum Managing Director, National Health Mission Juhi Mukherjee, Commandant 12th Bn NDRF Doimukh, Umesh Kumar Thapiyal, Director Health Services Dr. M. Lego, members of State Commission for Women, HoDs, and others were present on the occasion. Honorary Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, Arunachal Pradesh Dr. Emi Rmni, and President, Junior Red Cross, Arunachal Pradesh Ramesh Jeke delivered the welcome and gratitude address respectively on the occasion.

A large number of volunteers, including personnel from NDRF, ITBP, CRPF and State Police and NCC, NSS, Scouts and Guides,  students from colleges and universities, NGOs, government officials, and public were present on the occasion. PRO Raj Bhavan