8th August, 2024 was a day dedicated to creating awareness on healthy living and blood donation through an event jointly organized by Girijananda Chowdhury University (GCU) and Marwari Hospitals, (MH) Guwahati. Three different programmes were planned for the day, viz a Health Talk, Health Camp and Blood Donation. Prof. Jayanta Deka – Hon’ble Chancellor of GCU graced the Health Talk with his presence. Dr. J.P. Sarma, the Director of Medical Services, Marwari Hospitals set the tone for the day with his enthusiastic lecture that kept the audience completely engrossed. He highlighted the importance of living healthy in today’s scenario where there is a high possibility of anyone becoming susceptible to contracting major life threatening illness. Warning signs of cardiac problems, cancer and diabetes were discussed in detail along with the strategies to protect oneself from these ailments. He left the audience with one strong message or mantra – ‘The Fabulous Four’ that stresses on ‘No drinking, no smoking, balanced nutrition and regular physical activity,’ which goes a long way in enabling people live a healthy long life and also free from any lifestyle illnesses. It was an engaging and lively session with colourful presentation that had the facts and the key message aptly conveyed to the audience.
Dr. Atul Agarwal, the Director of Lab Services, (MH) shared on the ‘Benefits of Blood
Donation/Transfusion’ and clarified the myths associated with donation. He encouraged everyone to come forward and donate after undergoing preliminary investigation to ascertain their eligibility for donation. The session on Health Talk was facilitated by Prof. Vidhya Sreenivasan, Head, School of Allied Health Sciences, GCU.
A team of about 15 medical personnel from Marwari Hospitals organized the health camp and
the blood donation in the Wellness Centre premises along with faculty members and students.Dr. Bidyut Bikash Choudhury, Community Medicine (MH) examined the patients whose Blood Pressure, Random Blood Sugar levels were checked and many of them also were assisted by the physiotherapy department. Members from the neighbouring community visited the camp and got themselves examined.
An overwhelming response was seen as many as 80 of them participated in the camp and nearly 30 volunteers from the student community and faculty members donated blood.Refreshments and certificates were provided to the voluntary blood donors and the patients who had health ailments received free medicines. Departments of Medical and Lab Technology,Physiotherapy from School of Allied Health Sciences and the Departments of Social Work,Sociology and Psychology from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences were involved in organizing the event. This event is just a beginning of future collaboration and networking between the two institutions for a better and healthy living.
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