Planning and Infrastruture woes - Problem & Solution

[Vik]

This is very very sad that in a country like India where every 20th person may carry a thalassemia gene and where the cases are on a rise since past serveral years - the govt. is not expanding the blood supply program keeping in mind that things are only going to get worse.

The Indian Red Cross is one of the most stretched out organisation in Delhi. It has a severe lack of funds, resources and planning. I do not understand how can a government-run organisation turns away people who need blood for the survival of their kids. These babies are less than a year old and their only chance of their immidieate survival is blood transfusions.

HOW CAN THEY TURN AWAY PEOPLE LIKE THAT!! shouldn't they be planning to expand their services to meet the demand.

[poppy]

So sad. More has to be done! As these babies get older they will require more blood. If tranfused properly they will lead normal lives.

[Narendra]

- the govt. is not expanding the blood supply program keeping in mind that things are only going to get worse.

The Indian Red Cross is one of the most stretched out organisation in Delhi. It has a severe lack of funds, resources and planning.

I agree with you on that the babies need blood to survive, but don't you think more important would be to tell and ask the people to donate their blood. An organisation can do its part, but if people do NOT show up to donate, what good is it? I have been trying to pursue people to try and donate blood and thals live on the blood and it is very important that people donate knowing how important it is.

But, it is shocking how the myths about effects of donating blood are governing their minds. I have been talking to few friends and telling them how important it is to donate. They say, "You are right, we should donate, but you don't know we get infected due to usage of bad needles" May be it is people are NOT serious enough to donate and take is lightly because I have mostly seen centers where they are using brand new sets to get blood and even test for the Hemoglobin level before inserting the bags. Other's can share their experience on this, so we know if that is the reality else where too. Dedicated members like Vamanjee and Rajeshjee can point us on how can we make people understand that Blood Donation is very important as more and more Thals are diagonised and we do NOT want to run into disaster without blood.

I would ask all of us to talk to people how blood is important to all. It is NOT only donation of blood but donating in some part of life. It is our duty to try and give what we can, because this is very very important for Thals

Vik --> From Red Cross point of view, what else can they do?? Do they have enough blood?? If they have funds, they can get more blood?(may be by organising blood donation camps), but I think it is more important to get these myths busted so people understand that there is nothing better than giving life to others(through blood), that gives more satisfaction

-Narendra

[Vik]

- You brought out some really good point Narendra.

- You talked about spreading awareness and education amongst citizens so that they do not have misconceptions about donating blood and also so that they realise how important it is to donate blood and how it saves lives.

I agree with a lot of things you talked about in your posts.
YES, There are some inherent problems with the attitudes of people. I have witnessed it first hand in my very own extended family - disgusting but true.

Who do you think will bell the cat? Let me explain.
Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is the blood bank that collects blood for most of Canada (in one province - Quebec - they have their own blood bank organisation called Hamae Quebec). While going to the office - almost on all weeks, I hear an adverisement on radio FROM CBS and their slogan is "Blood - It's in you to give". I usually come across blood donation camps on a regualr basis - shopping complexes, malls, in big office towers and in community centres. The Canadian Blood Services advt.'s is on TV, in the Subway, buses, in malls and even poster or street signs.

Canadian Blood Services run a call centre - YES, A telemarketing call centre. Guess who they call and what do they sell in the call centre? They call people like all telemarketers do .. based on a very selective list of people they have in their database AND they recruit people for
1) first time donors
2) call and book for second time blood donors,
3) re-schedule appointment and bookings for people who could not make it to their last blood donation appointment.

The call centre also gives out a toll free number so that people can call in and ask for information, get answers, know more about blood donation in general - etc. etc.

In today's world everything is SALES. We recognise this aspect in our lives more than ever nowdays. Right from the time one joins the school and goes to college and makes new friends, and interviews for a job to even meeting a prespective partner or going out dating - we are in a way selling ourselves to others. Sellnig is not as much as making others like us but more about telling others - who we are and to let them know what we are about, our beliefs, opinions.

If I get a call on phone from a non-profit organisation asking for a donation - I would be very skeptical about making the donation or making some kind of commitment. I would like to know -
Who the NGO is,
What work they do,
how does it help the community,
how do I know the money I give will goto the right cause,
do they really need my money or are they just calling me to make an extra profit.

It all comes down to a prespective donor being able to recognise the organisation when that organisaton makes their first contact with the donor. It's therefore not uncommon these days that non-government and social organisations and non-profit organisations hire advertising campaign firms to create a brand identity for themselves.

Coming back to the problem, I believe there is a lot that can be done if the government has a mind to do something. Yes, awareness is needed - but not on a regional level but on a national level.

Today there is more awareness of HIV (not saying that HIV cases are less or more) than there is of thalassemia or blood donation - why? It is because that was put on the priority list and govt. acted upon it. It was a big issue for the western countries who were giving fianancial aid to India and the issue got direct priority from the ministries and all levels of government.

Too bad we need input from outside to fix whats wrong within. It's unfortunate, that the country that is cited for being the next economic-superpower with immense brain-power is facing issues such as these.

When we can learn from the west and smarten up enough to become the number one destination of business and investment, to become the number one choice to provide services in consumer products, IT, wealth management, research and development and more - then why can't we fix these inherent issues in the very same place.

I do not want to be too critical but I honestly believe that things could be made better if there was a willingness to do something about it by the federal govt. (or the central govt. as you call it there).


Thread is open to suggestions, idea and discussion.

[pankajsethi]

vik this is really motivation for pepl those who r scare to donat blood , and can help us for awareness for blood donation . and in lot of the othere way , not only for blood donation but to maitntain there data those who want to donate blood and those who allready donate blood .
I think it will work for us those who goes for blood dpnation camp in multinational org or in collage or in any org .

great job vik like it .

regard pankaj sethi .