Telangana Governor Inaugurates Blood Donation Camp on World Pharmacists Day

Highlights Challenges Faced by Patients in Need of Blood from Relatives

By: Syed Khaled Shahbaaz

Hyderabad, September 25: At a time when even blood relatives are hesitant to donate blood to their kin, many youngsters are coming forward to donate blood. The fact, observed by Telangana Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, drew appreciation for students and donors from the Governor. Addressing a gathering of students after inaugurating a blood donation camp at Sultan ul Uloom College of Pharmacy on World Pharmacists Day, the Governor congratulated the blood donors.  

She appreciated the overwhelming participation of girls, and lauded the Sultan ul Uloom Education Society for organizing blood donation camp, terming the initiative as ‘highly appreciative’.

In her brief address to the students after inaugurating a blood donation camp on World Pharmacists Day, the Governor commended their willingness to donate blood.

Dr. Soundararajan, who has a background in medicine before entering politics, emphasized the critical role of blood donation in saving lives. She encouraged the students to focus on making affordable and effective drugs, referring to aspiring pharmacists as those who “give life to the medicines.” She also urged the use of generic medicines as a means to save both lives and money, particularly for the public, including senior citizens and pensioners  

“Donating blood is highly appreciable, especially at a time when even close relatives are hesitant to do so”, she said while recollecting experiences from her medical career. She expressed her appreciation for the significant participation of female donors and praised the Sultan ul Uloom Education Society for their commendable initiative.

The event was organized by Sultan ul Uloom Education Society in collaboration with the Indian Red Cross Society on the occasion of World Pharmacists Day. Mr. Ajay Mishra, Chairman of the Indian Red Cross Blood Bank and former Additional Chief Secretary of Telangana, spoke about the potential of each blood unit to save at least three lives and highlighted the annual deaths in India due to blood shortages.

The Telangana Chapter of the Indian Red Cross Society, along with its partners, collects 4,000 to 5,000 units of blood annually, accounting for about 10% of the total blood collected in the state. Mr. Mishra encouraged students to volunteer for blood donation and contribute to saving lives.

Notably, many donors come forward to donate blood on personal occasions like birthdays or marriage anniversaries. During the event, Dr. Mohammed Waliullah, Chairman of the Sultan ul Uloom Education Society, presented a memento to Mr. Ajay Mishra. The Secretary of SUES Sultan ul Uloom Education Society, Mr. Zafar Javeed, and Aamer Javeed were also in attendance.

Dr. Anupama Koneru, the principal of Sultan ul Uloom College of Pharmacy, welcomed the guests. Additionally, a mobile medical unit provides dialysis and blood donation services to people over 60 years of age in 10 to 12 villages or localities every month.