‘Ortho Vision Analyzer’ Launched on ‘World Blood Donor Day’ at AJ Hospital
With the theme of this year ‘World Blood Donor Day’-Ortho Vision Analyzer’ {Fully Automated immunohematology Analyzer- The FIRST of its kind in Dakshina Kannada, and the fifth in Karnataka} Launched on ‘World Blood Donor Day’ at AJ Hospital and Research Centre-Mangaluru
Mangaluru: Be there for someone else. Give blood. Share life! -That’s right! Every year, on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day. The event serves to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood and to raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure the quality, safety and availability of blood and blood products for patients in need. It’s true that ‘Service to Humanity is Service to God’; “A single pint of blood can save other’s lives. A single gesture can create a million smiles”. “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth”- and for that matter, A J Hospital and Research Centre-Mangaluru organized a ‘Voluntary Blood Donation Week; along with launching of ‘Ortho Vision Analyzer {Fully Automated immunohematology Analyzer} and also launching of ‘AJ Health Card’ to mark “World Blood Donor Day” on Wednesday 14 June 2018.
The programme began with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song, followed by welcome address by Dr Aravind P-Bllod Bank Officer at AJ Hospital. Briefing of the Three-in-One events was done by Dr Prashanth Marla-Medical Director-AJ Hospital and Research centre, where he said, ” Transfusion of blood and blood products helps save millions of lives every year. It can help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions live longer and with a higher quality of life, and supports complex medical and surgical procedures. It also has an essential, life-saving role in maternal and child care and during the emergency response to man-made and natural disasters.
He further said, “A blood service that gives patients access to safe blood and blood products in sufficient quantity is a key component of an effective health system. An adequate supply can only be ensured through regular donations by voluntary, unpaid blood donors. However, in many countries, blood services face the challenge of making sufficient blood available, while also ensuring its quality and safety. Blood transfusion is an essential component of emergency health care. Emergencies increase the demand for blood transfusion and make its delivery challenging and complex. Adequate supply of blood during emergencies requires a well-organized blood service, and this can only be ensured by engaging the entire community and a blood donor population committed to voluntary unpaid blood donation throughout the year. I request you to also sign up for Blood donation during our Voluntary Blood Donation Week. We are also happy to launch Ortho Vision Analyzer’- Fully Automated immunohematology Analyzer- The FIRST of its kind in Dakshina Kannada, and the fifth in Karnataka, and also our First AJ Health card, which has all the good benefits when it comes to health care at our hospital”.
The programme was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by chief guests- Dr Badarudeen M N- District TB and DAPCU Officer-DK and Krishna Murthy-General manager, Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Mumbai; along with guests of honor namely- Dr AJ Shetty- Chairman, AG Group of Institutions, Dr Ashok Hegde- Dean, AJ Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Dr Prashanth Marla, A Prashanth Shetty-Director, and Dr Amitha P Marla-Director, Medical Administration. Following the inauguration the ‘AJ Health Card’ was launched by AJ Shetty. Appreciation certificates and mementos were given to Voluntary Bombay Blood Group Donors, among whom was Suhas Hegde. Mementos were also presented to Voluntary Blood Donation Camp organizers, one among them was India Catholic Youth Movement.
Addressing the audience Dr Badarudeen said, “The blood is red gold in time of saving a life. Blood is meant to circulate, so we need to pass it around. Donation of Blood means a few minutes to you but a lifetime for somebody else. The blood you donate gives someone another chance at life. One day that someone may be a close relative, a friend, a loved one, or even you. Blood is something we all expect to be there for us when we need it, yet very few of us come forward actively to give blood – many people would not be alive today if it wasn’t for the generosity of blood donors. AJ Hospital has done a great service in organizing this Voluntary Blood Donation Week. Make up your mind and come forward to donate blood, and save someone who is in desperate need of blood to save his/life”
Krishna Murthy addressing the audience said, “It’s amazing to seed that once a dense forest land has been turned into a medical care dynasty, by humanitarian Dr AJ Shetty. We all should all appreciate his efforts and dedication in establishing this institution to serve the suffering humanity. We at Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics are happy to install our Ortho Vision Analyzer, the first one in DK at AJ Hospital. A blood banker’s job is critical, yet labs face growing pressure to find new efficiencies and do more with less. This Analyzer was developed to meet the unique needs of immunohematology labs through the proprietary benefits of Responsive Automation. This analyzer not only raises the bar in transfusion medicine-it redefines it.”
“It provides responsive safety checks and balances to give blood bankers the ability to monitor every critical step in the automation process- Proprietary Intellicheck® Technology: Verifies, documents, and resolves diagnostic checks throughout sample processing; e-Connectivity® technology: 24/7 remote data tracking monitors and ensures instrument performance while maximizing uptime; Advanced image verification: Provides pre-qualification check of the front and back of every ORTHO BioVue® Cassette; and Virtual collaboration: Lab staff can log on from anywhere for real-time interaction to review results. The Analyzer automates the full range of immunohematology testing including serial dilutions for titration studies and selected cell panels, which helps to eliminate manual testing-even specialty testing: added Krishna Murthy.
Dr AJ Shetty and Dr Ashok Hegde also spoke and highlighted all the facilities that are provided at AJ Hospital, and stressed on the donation of Blood, which is the need of the hour since blood is needed every single day to save some one’s life. Prior to formal function, the Ortho Vision Analyzer was inaugurated by the dignitaries at the AJ Hospital Blood Bank. The vote of thanks was delivered by P R Gopal Krishna-Quality and Technical Manager, Blood Bank-AJ Hospital, and the programme was compered by Ms Pooja Jayaram.
In conclusion, in my perspective-“If you are a blood donor, you are a hero/heroine to someone, somewhere, who received your gracious gift of life.’ All of us know that blood is a base of every human life; there is no life without blood. Blood is our prana, the power of life on earth. How true this saying is. We do not own the sun in the sky, yet more certainly, we can say the sun is ours because it gives and gives. This should be our motivation during the Voluntary Blood Donation Week at AJ Hospital. The saying goes true, ‘Blood is meant to circulate. Pass it on.’ May be we have done little today to save a life, but surely it will save someone’s life in a greater way tomorrow.”
“We should all know that life of some patients is resting on a fraction of hope in quest of your gift of love. A life in the surgeon’s hand may be yours, so come forward to donate blood right away. When you donate blood, you save lives. Accidents and medical emergencies don’t take holidays—we need blood every minute, every day of the year. The blood you donate gives someone another chance at life. One day that someone may be a close relative, a friend, a loved one—or even you. A few drops of your blood can help a life to bloom. Blood it’s in you to give-So give from the heart today and the Life You Save Could Be Your Own. You don’t have to have a medical degree to save a life. Just a fair degree of humanity. Give Blood. Save Life. Blood donation will cost you nothing but it will save a life ! A life is waiting for a bag of blood from you. Be a Life Guard. Give Blood to save life. Run, Run, quick hit the mud, Come be good, and give some blood!
VOLUNTARY BLOOD DONATION WEEK WILL GO ON FROM 14 JUNE TILL 20 JUNE 2018. IF YOU VOLUNTEER TO BE BLOOD DONOR CALL GOPAL KRISHNA AT 9164477466 OR 0824-2225533