BMU today observed the World Blood Donor Day. Photo: BMU

DHAKA, June 18, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) today observed the World Blood Donor Day in a befitting manner.

Marking the day, Transfusion Medicine Department of the university organized a voluntary blood donation program, presented certificates of appreciation to honorable voluntary blood donors and a seminar, said a press release here.

In the seminar, it was informed that in 2024, 33,593 bags of blood were collected safely in a scientific manner under the initiative of the Transfusion Medicine Department. Of those blood bags, 379 were voluntary blood donors, while the rest were relatives of the patients. All blood was properly screened. 

After screening, 116 people were found to have hepatitis B, seven people had hepatitis C, six people had HIV and 43 people had syphilis in the blood. The blood found to contain hepatitis B, C, HIV and syphilis was discarded and the remaining safe blood was used for patients. 

Last year, 13,595 bags of red blood cells, 12,710 bags of platelets and the same number of bags of plasma were prepared from the blood collected under the initiative of the department and used to save the lives of patients. 

Last year, about 5,000 tests were conducted in specialized laboratories to determine whether the patients had antibodies in their blood. In that year, 11,502 patients were provided with medical services through safe blood at the day care center.

Speaking as the chief guest at the seminar, BMU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Md. Shahinul Alam said the quality of providing services to patients through blood has increased a lot compared to the past. The country has come a long way in safe blood transfusion, he added. 

He said university's Transfusion Medicine Department is making a great contribution to providing services to patients by collecting blood safely and providing better higher education to students. However, more importance should be given to research, he added.

BMU Pro VC (research and development) Professor Dr Md Mujibur Rahman Hawlader, Treasurer Professor Nahrin Akhter, and Transfusion Medicine Department Chairman Professor Dr Ayesha Khatun, among others, addressed the seminar.

Assistant Professor Dr Sonia Sharmin Mia and Dr Nadia Sharmin Trisha presented the key-note paper in the seminar.

Hospital Director Brigadier General Abu Noman Mohammad Mosleh Uddin, Neurosurgeon Associate Professor Dr. Md. Ruhul Qaddus Biplob, Transfusion Medicine Department Associate Professor Dr Sheikh Saiful Islam Shahin, Assistant Professor Dr Suborna Saha, among others, were present at the event.