Under the guidance of Director, Professor (Dr) R. K. Singh, NSS Cell of International School of Management Patna organised a health talk on the theme of “Health for All" and Blood Donation Camp on Friday, 7 April, 2023. Renowned Oncologist, Dr. Ridu Kumar Sharma, Head of Medical Oncology and Medical Director, Magadh Cancer Centre, Patna was the resource person of the talk. More than 150 volunteers, including students, faculty, and staff, came forward to donate blood at camp installed on the campus in collaboration with Prathama Blood Centre, a Charitable Trust under India Health Partners (HP) Project and Health department, Government of Bihar and ATMRF. The donors were given refreshments and a certificate of appreciation as a token of gratitude.
The event was intended to create awareness among the students and the local community about the importance of health and well-being; donating blood and saving lives especially in the wake of the phenomenon of COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Ridu Sharma, who has extensive experience in the field of oncology, spoke at length about the need for a holistic approach to health, which includes physical, mental and emotional well-being.
During his talk Dr. Sharma emphasized the importance of early detection and prevention od diseases, and how small lifestyle changes can help in ensuring good health. He spoke about the latest developments in cancer treatment, including immunotherapy and targeted therapy. He asserted the significance of having healthy diet, staying physically active and avoiding harmful habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption. He focused on various lifestyle diseases that are becoming increasingly common among the general population due to changes in lifestyle habits such as unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and stress.
In the inaugural session of the events, the Director of the institute said, “Our institute believes that access to healthcare is a fundamental human right that should be available to everyone, regardless of their social status, geographic location, or economic background. However, achieving “health for all” is not just about access to healthcare facilities and resources. It also involves promoting healthy behaviour and lifestyles, as well as addressing social determinants of health, such as poverty, education and environment. Therefore, we need to work together to create a healthcare system that not only treats illness but also promotes good health and prevents diseases. Today’s expert talk on health and blood donation camp have been designed to create awareness among the youth about selfless strides towards welfare of the common people. As we all know blood donation is a selfless act that can save someone’s life. By organizing this camp, we hope to create awareness about the importance of blood donation and encourage more people to come forward and donate blood.”
The convener of this event, Chairperson of NSS Cell, Ms. Shilpi Kavita highlighted unwavering dedication and tireless efforts of NSS volunteers on the institute in creating awareness about health, their work in promoting healthy lifestyles, educating the public about the importance of preventive measures, and advocating for access to quality healthcare services which has made a significant impact on the community. She also expressed her gratitude towards the participants and the blood bank centre for their valuable contribution.
The event was attended by a diverse audience comprising of students, faculty members, and staff of the institute. The whole programme was conducted with the active cooperation of the other members of the NSS cell, Ms. Vandana Verma and Mr. Rahul Kumar Sinha. All of them hope that this event will inspire more people to prioritize their health and well-being. The blood bank staff expressed their appreciation towards the convener and NSS volunteers for their support in organizing the blood donation camp. They also thanked the participants for their generous contribution, which would help save lives in emergencies.
