World Blood Donor Day 14th June

This year's the theme is “Blood Connects us all”.

WHO began celebrating World Blood Donor day in 2004 to 

1.  recognise and thank blood donors around the world
2. raise awareness on the need for safe blood and blood products 

June 14th was chosen as World Blood Donor Day to recognise birthday anniversary of Karl Landsteiner. 

Karl Landsteiner

Karl Landsteiner is an Austrian American biologist and physician who won the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of human blood groups.   However this is not his only contribution to medicine, Karl Landsteiner working with Constantin Levaditi and Erwin Popper discovered the polio virus in 1909. His Nobel Prize award ceremony speech can be found here: here .

Interestingly, there are stark differences in who receives donations in different countries - 76% of all transfusions in high income countries go to those over 65 years whilst 65% of donations in low income countries are given to children under 5.

For high income countries blood transfusions are used for massive trauma, supportive care in cardiovascular and transplant surgeries and in the treatment of solid and haematological malignancies.   Pregnancy related complications, childhood malaria complicated by anaemia and trauma are the most common reasons for blood transfusions in low and middle income countries. 

As voluntary unpaid donors have the lowest prevalence of blood borne infections adequate and reliable supply of safe blood needs to be from a stable base of regular, voluntary unpaid blood donors.  Though 73 countries collect 90% of their blood from this source 72 countries still collect more than 50% of their supply from family/replacement or paid donors. 

Some other facts about blood donations

• Blood donation by 1% of the population can meet a nation’s most basic requirements for blood
• 62 countries collect 100% of their blood supply from voluntary unpaid blood donors
• Blood donation rates vary from 3.9 donations per 1000 population in low income countries to 36.8 donations in high income countries 

• 108 million blood donations are collected globally every year with only 50% from low and middle income countries where 80% of the population lives 
• Unfortunately there are still 25 countries who are not able to screen all donated blood for HIV, hepatitis B and C and syphilis prior to transfusions 
• Blood can be separated into various components to benefit several patients 

So on World Blood Donor Day please share life and give blood.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AarogyaSeva and AarogyaSeva does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

To get in touch with the author or to join our team write to us at – Volunteer@aarogyaseva.org

International Albinism Awareness Day 13/6

"There is no room in this 21st century for erroneous and harmful beliefs, or for discrimination on any grounds. People with albinism are just as deserving of dignity as every other human being. They have the right to live free from discrimination, deprivation and fear."

ZEID RA'AD AL HUSSEINUN High Commissioner for Human Rights

June 13th 2015 was the first time International Albinism Awareness Day was celebrated. This came about through active campaigning from various organisations and the increased violent attacks on persons with albinism particularly in Africa. 

To see a moving story go here:

It is noted however that this is not an isolated condition for this region.  

Albinism results in lack of melanin pigment in the hair, skin and eyes causing increased sensitivity to the sun and also visual impairments.  It is an inherited rare non contagious genetic disease which occurs worldwide regardless of background and gender.   Exact data on prevalence is uncertain unfortunately partly due to the stigma and discrimination faced.

To see the Message by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'Ad Al Hussein:

This quote from Zeid Ra'Ad Al Hussein speech highlights the challenges: 

"In some parts of the world, people with albinism may also suffer horrific, and sometimes lethal, atrocities. Civil society activists have reported that hundreds of people with albinism – a majority of them children – have been killed, mutilated or otherwise attacked in at least 25 African countries, because of the belief that their body parts confer magical powers. More cases remain undocumented because of the isolation of the victims, the secrecy surrounding ritual practices, and indifference. Shockingly, such crimes have seldom been investigated or prosecuted"

So today lets celebrate diversity and promote inclusion for all.

To test how much you know about human rights of people with albinism go here

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AarogyaSeva and AarogyaSeva does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

To get in touch with the author or to join our team write to us at – Volunteer@aarogyaseva.org

Aravani Art Project

If you’re in Mumbai this Friday and Saturday please drop by to say hi Poornima Sukumar and help out on the Aravani Art Project.

Aarogyaseva is proud and excited to sponsor and support The Aravani Art Project on this initiative in association with Humsafar Trust.

Poornima is the Aarogyaseva artist in residence and she started the Aravani Art Initiative.   You will remember that for International Women's Day in March Poornima was one of the artists who beautifully decorated our now open free clinic in Jayanagar Bangalore Mahabodhi Aarogyaseva Kendra.

The Aravani Art Project aims to use art as a medium to bring the community together with particular emphasis on inclusion of the transgender community.   They have been doing projects across India most recently in Bangalore.   

Poornima first became involved in the transgender community through working on a documentation with Tabs Breese and wanted to stay connected and involved afterwards.   Her aim is to eventually expand the project across the world to give the third gender a voice and to encourage acceptance across the world.

Aravani Art Project has also been featured in The Hindu and Good.

If you want to find out more and support please head to their Facebook page.

It’s not too late to help! They are still after artists, scaffolding builders, buskers and magic markers.  Anything you can do to help would be much appreciated including just dropping by to say hi.

Aravani Art Project is also going to Chennai, Delhi, Lucknow and Kolkata.   We'll let you know when it does. 

Don’t forget we’re also looking for more volunteers for our clinic Mahadohi Aarogayseva Kendra in Bangalore.   So drop us a line at Volunteer @aarogyaseva.org

We look forward to sharing some photos next week on the event.  Stay tuned!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AarogyaSeva and AarogyaSeva does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

To get in touch with the author or to join our team write to us at – Volunteer@aarogyaseva.org

World No Tobacco Day 31st May

"Worldwide, more than 1 billion people use tobacco products—the only consumer products that, when used as directed, will kill half of all users. Tobacco use is the world’s leading cause of preventable death, with nearly 6 million people dying of tobacco-related diseases each year, including more than 600,000 nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke. If current trends persist, tobacco will kill more than 8 million people each year by 2030—80 percent of them in the developing world.”  

(Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, http://www.gatesfoundation.org/What-We-Do/Global-Policy/Tobacco-Control)

31st May marks World No Tobacco Day which has been recognised since the late 80s.  This year’s theme is a push for plain packaging to be adopted by tobacco products.

I am proud to say that Australia were the first and have had cigarette packing without logos, large warnings and graphic images of tobacco related diseases since 2012.  This coupled with 25% increase in taxes on tobacco products in 2010 has worked to reduced the Australia's daily smoking rate among those over 14 to 12.8% between 2010 and 2013 from 15.1%.  

On April 1 the Indian government mandated that 85% of cigarette pack surface would need to be covered in health warnings up from 20%.   I understand that there are some implementation issues being worked.   It is noted however that there is limited and low legislation with regards the the smoking of bidis which accounts for 85% of all smoked tobacco in India.  Unfortunately bidis are not only cheap (average 4 rupees per pack), readily available everywhere but also contain more nicotine than regular cigarettes.

So does the size of warnings on packs matter?  It definitely increase the percentage of people thinking about quitting smoking. 

The amount of people actually taking the step to actually quit is another matter but I feel that at least thinking about quitting is the first step. 

One of the methods being used by WHO in the fight against smoking will be the use of the documentary "Addiction Incorporated”.  It is a film that documented the first ever USA federal regulation of the tobacco industry.  A trailer of the film is here.

If you’re thinking about quitting consider doing with with a Doctor as your chances improve 84% following intensive counselling.  Quitting is not easy but the benefits are worth it. Once we have our clinic up and running, feel free to drop by and chat to one of our doctors. 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AarogyaSeva and AarogyaSeva does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

To get in touch with the author or to join our team write to us at – Volunteer@aarogyaseva.org

Inauguration of Mahabodhi Aarogyaseva Kendra

Today was the Inauguration of our free medical clinic Mahabodhi Aarogyaseva Kendra.

It has taken a long time and much help.  The foundation stone for the centre was first laid in 2012.

It was a beautiful ceremony with blessings and speeches.

In attendance was

• Venerable Kassapa Mahathera President, MBS
• Sri Ramalinga Reddy, Honourable Minister of Transport Government of Karnataka
• Dr Ravi Gopal Verma, Lead Consultant of Neurosciences, Aster CMI Hospital, former Prof and Head of Dept of Neurosurgery MS Ramaiah Medical College 
• Monks from Mahabodhi Society 

Following the blessing we were honoured to begin our free medical camp led by Dr K B Lingegowda and Dr Ravi

Here are first pictures of patients being seen:

The Mahabodhi Meditation Centre was also inaugurated today.  This is co-located/ upstairs from the clinic.

As was spoken of by our guests, we hope that this is the beginning of centres which combine holistic view of treatment including brain and mind.  Without treating the other would be incomplete.

This was following by a delicious lunch provided by Mahabodhi Society.

Please come down and see the clinic and meditation centre when you get the chance.

We are also keen for more volunteers so if you have some time this summer please get in touch.

Also we note that Maha Bodhi Society has their 2560th Sacred Buddha Jayanti Celebrations on right now with activities planned all week.  This includes

• Cancer Patients Service Day on 17th May from Noon at Dharmashala Kidwai Institute of Oncology 
• One Day Children's Dhamma Camp on 18th May from 9am to 4pm at Maha Bodhi Auditorium Maha Bodhi Society 
• Burns Patient Service Day on 19th May from 3:30pm at Medical Education Seminar Hall Victoria Hospital 
• Animal Service Day on 20th July from 10am at People for Animals Kengeri
• Vesakha Sacred Buddha Purnima Day on 21st July from 9am at Mahabodhi Loka Shanti Buddha Vihara

If you have the chance we invite you to join in the above festivities. 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AarogyaSeva and AarogyaSeva does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

To get in touch with the author or to join our team write to us at – Volunteer@aarogyaseva.org

Who is Sir Ronald Ross?

Did you know that the man behind the research on the transmission of malaria was born in India on May 13, 159 years ago?   He won the Nobel prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1902 for this work.

Sir Ronald Ross was born in Uttarakhand, India on May 13 1857.  Though he is actually British by nationality he spent a large part of his early career in the Indian Medical Service and it was in India that he did the majority of his malaria research. 

His breakthrough discovery was identifying how malaria is transmitted via mosquitoes specifically via malaria parasites which laid the foundation of the methods to fight the disease today. 

A link to his acceptance speech for the Nobel prize is here

Sir Ronald Ross has left quite legacy including: 

• World Mosquito Day (August 20) to commemorate the day that he made the breakthrough discovery
• The Sir Ronald Ross Institute of Parasitology Osmanai University Begumpet, Hyderabad is named in his honour.  
• There is a memorial at SSKM Hospital Kolkata to commemorate the discovery
• University Liverpool named their new Bio-Science facility Ronald Ross Building in 2010 in his honour
• The Ross Institute and Hospital for Tropical Diseases was opened in London in 1926 though has unfortunately since lost its separate identity due to financial issues/reorganisation/absorption by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

So today on May 13 lets remember Indian born Sir Ross Ronald on his birthday for his pioneering work on malaria which done in India.

If you would like additional information about Malaria, please head to the blog I wrote a couple of weeks ago to celebrate World Malaria Day here.

You too can be be part of medical research- to get connect to opportunities, drop us a line.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AarogyaSeva and AarogyaSeva does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

To get in touch with the author or to join our team write to us at – Volunteer@aarogyaseva.org

May is Mental Health Month

May is mental health awareness month and I believe that given the recent news on farmer suicides in India mental health needs to be talked about.

Did you know that every year more than 800,000 people take their own lives? That is one death every 40 seconds. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds. It is estimated for every death another 20 attempt to take their own lives.  Suicides can be prevented and effective interventions exist with the most important being early identification and support.

WHO advises the following measures in prevention and control of suicide: 

• reducing access to the means of suicide (e.g. pesticides, firearms, certain medications); 

•  reporting by media in a responsible way;

•  introducing alcohol policies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol;

• early identification, treatment and care of people with mental and substance use disorders, chronic pain and acute emotional distress;

• training of non-specialised health workers in the assessment and management of suicidal behaviour;

• follow-up care for people who attempted suicide and provision of community support. 

The link with suicide and mental health particularly depression is well established though it is still a complex issue with many variables that contribute. It is important to note that no single event is the cause and suicide usually is culmination of many things occurring over time.

Depression affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of disability worldwide.

Symptoms of depression are low energy and interest in activities, persistent sadness, reduced social interactions and difficulty in everyday tasks. 

Here are a number of ways you can tackle depression 

1. Increase physical activity 
2. Give yourself time to relax and meditate 
3. Write down your thoughts and feelings
4. Eat well and aim to sleep for 6-8 hours a night
5. Find someone you can talk to 

 Today, please look out for yourself and each other. 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AarogyaSeva and AarogyaSeva does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

To get in touch with the author or to join our team write to us at – Volunteer@aarogyaseva.org