Pics: Nithin Periera

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, May 11:  Lions Club Udupi in association with  CSI  Lombard Memorial ( Mission) Hospital Udupi, district blood unit Udupi and Girija HealthCare and Surgicals Udupi organised a blood donation, and health check up camp on Sunday, May 11, at LMH Mission hospital multipurpose hall.

The camp offered services including diabetes screening, eye checkup, general health consultation, and joint and bone examinations.

The event commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp.

Speaking on the occasion, Sushil Jathanna, director of LMH, emphasized the importance of blood donation and said, “Donating blood is a noble act that can save up to three lives with just one unit. Our country requires around five crore units of blood every year, but only two to three crore units are donated due to lack of awareness and fear among people. Blood donation not only saves lives but also contributes positively to the donor’s health. The donation itself takes about 15 minutes, while the entire process including registration takes roughly an hour. I commend the Lions Club for taking this meaningful initiative. We also plan to start a blood storage unit at the mission hospital within the next two months.”

MJF Lion Vadiraja Rao, district coordinator, blood donation camp, said, “Blood donation is vital, and through the Lions Club’s camps across four districts, we collect four to five units of blood each time. Many people hesitate due to fear, but donating blood is completely safe, and the body naturally replenishes it. I encourage everyone to come forward and make use of this opportunity.”

The formal program began with an invocation by LMH students. Lions Club president MJF Lion Lewis Lobo delivered the vote of thanks, and the event was compered by Rohi Rathnakar.

The event was attended by Dr Veena Kumari M, coordinator of the district hospital blood centre; Kiran Lewis, president of Catholic Sabha Udupi deanery; Mahabala, representative of Girija HealthCare and Surgicals; Sadananda Kanchan, vice president of Indian Christian Unity; Robin Periera, president of ICYM Udupi deanery; and Mushir Ahammad, vice president of Jamath Alfalah Udupi.