Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Friday called for sustained awareness campaigns on thalassemia to identify undetected cases and improve public awareness about the blood disorder in the state.
Presiding over the executive committee meeting of the Indian Red Cross Society, Odisha State Branch (IRCS-OSB), at Lok Bhawan here, Kambhampati stressed the need for a long-term awareness programme in view of the rising number of thalassemia patients and the possibility of many cases remaining undiagnosed.
The Governor also advised the Red Cross to approach corporate organisations for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) support for various programmes and directed that the executive committee meet at least three times a year to ensure regular review and follow-up of activities.
Appreciating the humanitarian, healthcare and social welfare initiatives of IRCS-OSB, Kambhampati suggested organising specialised training programmes for volunteers engaged in elderly care services. He advised obtaining the required government approval and seeking cooperation from the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The Governor described the Indian Red Cross Society as a symbol of selfless service to humanity and stressed the need to further strengthen the Red Cross movement in Odisha by increasing the participation of youth and volunteers and expanding services to people in need.
Senior officials from the Health and Family Welfare, Higher Education, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water departments, besides members of the IRCS-OSB executive committee and officials of other concerned departments, attended the meeting.
IRCS-OSB Honorary Secretary Ganesh Chandra Patra presented the activity report.
