The Department of Surgery at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, along with the Jammu & Kashmir Chapter of the Association of Surgeons of India (JAKASI), organized a voluntary blood donation camp to pay tribute to the victims of the recent tragic air crash in Gujarat.

Tribute Through Humanitarian Service

The blood donation camp was held at SMHS Hospital Srinagar in partnership with the Department of Transfusion Medicine, which provided full support to ensure the smooth running of the event. The camp aimed not only to honor the victims of the Ahmedabad air tragedy but also to promote voluntary blood donation (VBD) as a vital humanitarian act.

Leadership and Compassion from Medical Fraternity

The event was conducted under the guidance of Prof. Iffat Hassan Shah, Principal and Dean of GMC Srinagar, who opened the camp with an inspiring speech. She praised the dedication of healthcare workers and emphasized the important role of medical professionals during crises.

The first blood donor was Prof. Iqbal Saleem Mir, Head of the Department of Surgery and current Chairman of JAKASI. His act of leadership motivated many others to follow, showing the strong solidarity within the medical community at GMC Srinagar.

Widespread Participation to Strengthen Blood Reserves

Faculty members, senior residents, and junior residents from the Department of Surgery participated in large numbers. The camp successfully collected dozens of blood units, contributing to the region’s emergency blood supply and improving preparedness for future health emergencies.

“This camp is more than a tribute. It reminds us of our duty to care, give, and serve,” said Prof. Iqbal Saleem Mir in his closing remarks.

Key Organizers Ensure Smooth Execution

The event was efficiently coordinated by:

• Dr. Shazia Handoo, Head of Blood Transfusion Medicine
• Mohd Ashraf Haqaq, Administrator, GMC Srinagar
• Dr. Andleeb, M.S SMHS Hospital
• Adil Mustafa Bhat, Blood Bank Organizer

Their combined efforts ensured the camp’s success and its meaningful impact.

Spreading Awareness About Voluntary Blood Donation

The organizers also used the platform to highlight the life-saving importance of voluntary blood donation, especially during emergencies. The message was clear: compassion and collective action save lives.

The Department of Surgery and JAKASI expressed their condolences to the families affected by the Ahmedabad air tragedy and promised to continue community service initiatives like this in the future.