KALALAYATHULLIKAL: VOLUNTARY BLOOD DONATION CAMPAIGNS IN CAMPUSES

[BPDU]

KALALAYATHULLIKAL: VOLUNTARY BLOOD DONATION CAMPAIGNS IN CAMPUSES

Blood, the most essential life saving substance in the world can be produced only from the kind donations of willing persons. No alternative to this indispensable substance has been identified or discovered yet. The vibrant advancement in medical science and increased precarious situations that leads to severe blood related illnesses, injuries, surgeries, etc. has lead to greater requirement of blood to save the life of patients. Promoting voluntary blood donation is the one and only solution to resolve the high demand for blood.

‘Kalalayathullikal’ (The word meaning Malayalam Word Kalalayathullikal is ‘Drops of Campus) is such a campaign aimed to encourage voluntary blood donation among students and build the habit of regular voluntary donation among them. This innovative attraction is set off by the Voluntary Blood Donation Forum, Thrissur district. The Forum is promoted by the Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS) with the support of Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT), Thrissur District Medical Office and Blood Banks in the District.

Though several organizations from Kerala engage in promoting the voluntary blood donation, the non-availability of sufficient safe blood for those in need is still rampant. Safe blood donors are the cornerstone of safe and adequate supply of blood and blood products. The safest blood donors are voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors from low-risk populations. Unfortunately such voluntary blood donations are often discouraged by various factors viz., psychological, sexual fear, fear of getting HIV/AIDS, disbeliefs, patriarchal society, occupation, poverty, religious restriction, etc. Statistics collected across the 144 Blood Banks in the State indicate that the scenario of voluntary blood donation in Kerala before the VBD intervention was only 30%. The percentage is rather low in comparison to the requirement of the blood in the State.

The exclusive campaign, ‘Kalalayathullikal’ was launched in the month of August 2009. Initially, it was developed as a 100 days campaign that would collect a minimum of 1000 units of blood by promoting volunteerism among the students through motivation and education. Due to increased demand from other colleges, the campaign was extended up to 31^st December 2009.

The campaign could establish Blood Donors Forums for recruiting, retaining voluntary and recognition of non-remunerated blood donors in all the colleges’ participant to the programme. It conducted training programmes in all the associated colleges to educate on the need for voluntary blood donation. The training programmes tried to eliminate fears, disbeliefs, etc. of the student community and motivate them to become regular non-remunerated donors. It also explained the disadvantages of blood donation by professional donors. The campaign distributed special certificates to students who donated blood during the campaign. The programme conferred awards on three colleges that donated higher units of blood. A ‘blood greetings day’ was observed on December 9^th, 2009 in the associating Colleges where students who donated bloods greeted their peers who have not donated yet, using specially designed greeting cards. More than 2000 students participated in the programme.

During the campaign a total of 1700 units of blood was collected from students. Although more students were ready to donate blood, the facility available for collecting the blood was insufficient. In addition, the campaign could inculcate proper knowledge among the student community regarding the need and scope of voluntary regular blood donation in saving the lives of their co-fellows. It also instilled a positive attitude among the students to become voluntary, non-remunerated, regular blood donors. If proper follow-up takes place, they will remain regular donors all their life.

National AIDS Control Programme III (NACP III) of National AIDS Control Organization not only focuses on ‘blood safety’ but also on blood donor motivation, retention, and awareness elements related to blood safety. The Campaign ‘Kalalayathullikal’ certainly contributes to blood donor motivation through proper awareness and education.

BEST PRACTICE DOCUMENTATION UNIT

IEC DIVISION, KERALA STATE AIDS CONTROL SOCIETY

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA, INDIA

Management Support By

HINDUSTAN LATEX FAMILY PLANNING PROMOTION TRUST (HLFPPT)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA, INDIA

[Olivia Munoru]

Very interesting blog. It has motivated me to donate blood asap. Thank you.