16th July 2023 18:39:46 Hours
A total of 1733 Army members, based in the Jaffna peninsula considering the humanitarian aspect and the need to save lives of patients in hospitals have voluntarily donated blood to the regional Blood Transfusion Centre (BTC) at Jaffna Teaching Hospital during the period from 29 July 2021 up until 21 April 2023 according to the reports, released by Jaffna BTC.
The BTC of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital during a recent ceremony at College of Nursing, Jaffna, organized by the Jaffna Teaching Hospital to mark the ‘World Blood Donor Day’ (WBDD) praised all peninsula-based members of the Security Forces for donation of life-saving blood to patients in the Jaffna Teaching Hospital and other peripheral units whenever a request to that effect was made to the troops. The ceremony awarded a Ceritificate of Appreciation and a souvenir to the Army, represented by Major (Dr) A.A.C.C Kumara, Commanding Officer of 4 Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps.
Mrs P.S.M.Charles, Governor for Northern Province graced the ‘World Blood Donor Day’ (WBDD) ceremony as the Chief Guest and Mr A. Sivabalasundran, District Secretary of Jaffna attended as the Guest of Honour. Dr T. Peranantharajah, General Physician at Jaffna Teaching Hospital, Dr T. Sathiyamoorthy, Director of Teaching Hospital Jaffna, Dr A.N Hettiarachchi, Consultant at Blood Transfusion Centre Regional Blood Center of Teaching Hospital Jaffna and the Chairman of Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, Jaffna Branch and were also present during the event.
Major (Dr) A.A.C.C Kumara, Commanding Officer of 4 Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps on behalf of the Army and all donors accepted the laurels and compliments during the ceremony.
Statistics affirm that 254 Army personnel of 4 Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps in Palaly, 64 Army members of 4 Vijayabhau Infantry Regiment (VIR) at Allarai camp, 256 Army troops of 552 Brigade HQ at Iyyakachchi, 64 Army personnel of 20 VIR, 159 troops of 15 Gajaba Regiment camp in Kodikamam, 94 Army personnel at Security Force HQ in Palaly, 102 soldiers of 10 Field Engineers in Kankesanthurai, 118 Army personnel of Gemunu Watch (GW) camp in Muhamalai, 68 Army members from Araly-based 17 GW camp, 97 soldiers of 7 VIR camp in Allarai, 199 Army members of 55 Division HQ in Kaddaikadu, 110 Army personnel from Kopay’s 15 Sri Lanka National Guard camp, 68 Army personnel from 12 VIR camp in Iyyakachchi, and 80 Army members during a project at KKS Tissa Viharaya have generously offered their blood to save the lives of Jaffna ciilians during the aforementioned time period.
During these projects, mainly coordinated by 4 Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps (SLAMC) with the blessings of respective General Officers Commanding, Brigade Commanders, Senior Officers and Commander, Security Forces-Jaffna, the Commanding Officer of 4 SLAMC, Major (Dr) A.A.C.C Kumara, Commanding Officer of 4 Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps closely liaised with the Blood Transfusion Centre (BTC) in Jaffna for arrangements.
