Suwa Arana an initiative by Rotaract Alumni Mora continuing its 4^th consecutive year with an objective of fulfilling medical requirements of the country. The project consists of two sub projects, Blood Donation Campaign and the donation of medicine to Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH). As Sri Lanka has a universal health care system that extends free healthcare to all citizens, faces with many challenges due to COVID-19 and the current economic crisis. As Rotaractors, this is a little support for the country’s health sector to face the challenges in a positive attitude.

Phase 1: Blood Donation Campaign

The Rotaract Club of Alumni of University of Moratuwa with the collaboration of Siri Wangeesa Dhamma School of Sri Wijeyarama Temple, Piliyandala, identifies the immediate need for action as per a special request made by, National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS). This humanitarian effort was named as Suwa Arana 22.1 with the objective of fulfilling the urgent blood requirement in the country. The chairperson of the project was Rtr. Dinushani Wickramarachchi, who contacted the necessary parties and initiated the project with fellow Rotaractors in this time of difficulty.

The team has made this effort into reality on 5th of February 2022 at the Sri Wijeyarama Temple premises, Piliyandala. The staff of the Narahenpita Central Blood Bank engaged in the collection procedure.  The refreshments were facilitated by the Sri Wijeyarama Temple with the support of parents and teachers of Dhamma School.

It was really a challenge to conduct the campaign by adhering to safety measures governed in the country due to COVID-19 while ensuring the collection of safe blood. Other than the medical staff, the organizing team took all the necessary precautions from the beginning to the end of the project to prevent the viral spread. The specific health requirements given by the NBTS to qualify as a safe blood donor were published prior to the campaign through social media. On the campaign day, all the necessary arrangements were there to rectify the threat. Hand washing areas, hand sanitizers, and face masks were facilitated to the participants.

Suwa Arana campaign ended up being a huge success and was able to have 117 successful donations from 150+ registrations. This was such a splendid event to showcase the shining human qualities of our people even with the barriers due to COVID-19.

The continuous and immense support from Kadurupokune Dhammaloka Thero, teachers, and parents of Siri Wangeesa Dhamma School for to have a successful blood donation campaign was appreciated. Moreover, the service of the medical staff of the NBTS and the Blood Bank also needs to be mentioned admirably.

Phase 2: Donation of Vital Medicine to LRH

Due to the prevailing economic crisis of the country, the hospitals are running out of life saving medications and surgical items. Sri Lanka has a universal health care system that extends free healthcare to all citizens, which has been a national priority. OPD facilities are readily available in public (general) hospitals situated in major towns and cities, with laboratory and radiology facilities common in most. This was the previous status of the health sector of the country before the economic crisis. Apart from running out of the medicine, the existing medicine prices are too expensive which cannot afford.

Rtr. Sachitha Bandara initiated the donation drive for LRH based on the requirements posted by the hospital. The team has identified the donation of medicine was important at the moment with the economic crisis. The team successfully donated the following vital medicines worth around 50,000 LKR from the collected donations.

• Beta dine Solution 100 ml           -08
• Cal Bind 17 g                                   -17
• Probeta drop 7.5 ml                      -05
• Phylopen 250 mg Per tab             -19
• Probeta N Drop 7.5 ml                  -25
• Phytomenadione 10 mg               -40
• Rolac 30 mg                                    -17

The donation phase was happened on the 19^th of May 2022 at Lady Ridgeway Hospital.

Special thanks for all the donors and the project OC for completing the project within a short duration as it was a gift of life for some patients.

Penned By : Rtr. Kavinda Senarathne

” Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person — the gift of life ” —WHO

Your precious decision to donate blood saves the precious lives of others. An adequate supply of blood is an essential need for a healthy society. Blood transfusion is essential for the treatments of complex medical and surgical procedures like physical traumas, chronic illness, complications of pregnancy, cancer treatments, severe anemia, thalassemia conditions, etc.

Blood is precious -specially during a global pandemic

There should be a constant supply of safe blood as there is no alternative for human blood. Similarly, blood can be stored only for a limited time. As responsible citizens, it is our duty to address this necessity through voluntary donations. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare systems need an adequate supply of blood all the time. However, it is very difficult to maintain the constant supply of blood due to the public health measures taken to prevent COVID- 19.

Rotaract Alumni Mora joins hands with Siri Wangeesa Dhamma School – Piliyandala

With the prevailing situation in the country, only a few blood donation campaigns had been conducted in the previous months. The Rotaract Club of Alumni of University of Moratuwa with the collaboration of Siri Wangeesa Dhamma School of Sri Wijeyarama Temple, Piliyandala, identifies the immediate need for action as per a special request made by, National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS). This humanitarian effort was named as Suwa Arana 20.1 with the objective of fulfilling the urgent blood requirement in the country. The chairperson of the project was Rtr. Dinushani Wickramarachchi, who contacted the necessary parties and initiated the project with fellow Rotaractors in this time of difficulty.

We made this effort into reality on 5^th of August 2020 at the Sri Wijeyarama Temple premises, Piliyandala. The staff of the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital’s Blood Bank engaged in the collection procedure.  The refreshments were facilitated by the Sri Wijeyarama Temple with the support of parents and teachers of Dhamma School.

Blood donation with COVID19 measures

It was really a challenge to conduct the campaign by adhering to safety measures governed in the country due to COVID-19 while ensuring the collection of safe blood. Other than the medical staff, the organizing team took all the necessary precautions from the beginning to the end of the project to prevent the viral spread. The specific health requirements given by the NBTS to qualify as a safe blood donor were published prior to the campaign through social media. On the campaign day, all the necessary arrangements were there to rectify the threat. Hand washing areas, hand sanitizers, and face masks were facilitated to the participants.

200+ registrations and 175 blood donations!

Suwa Arana campaign ended up being a huge success and was able to have 175 successful donations from 200+ registrations. This was such a splendid event to showcase the shining human qualities of our people even with the barriers due to COVID-19.

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We give our special thanks to Kadurupokune Dhammaloka Thero, teachers, and parents of Siri Wangeesa Dhamma School for their immense support to have a successful blood donation campaign. Moreover, the service of the medical staff of the NBTS and the Blood Bank also needs to be mentioned admirably.

Thank you for joining with us to save lives!

Finally, we want to appreciate the selfless endeavors of all the blood donors who participated in the campaign. Their gift of life is a worthy commitment to maintain the national blood reserves during a pandemic. As Rotaractors, we are spirited to continue our service as organizers in this worthy cause of saving lives through voluntary blood donations.

Kind request from you all…

There is an urgent need for regular blood supply in the country. If you are willing to donate blood please visit Maharagama Apeksha Hospital Blood Bank or your nearest hospital blood bank !

Rtr. Odatha Bandara