The Marepkong Youth Association conducted a blood donation drive at Marepkong community hall on November 28 as part of its activities leading up to its silver jubilee celebration on December 29, 2025.
The event was organised in collaboration with Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH) and the Blood Donors Association Mokokchung. Doctors, technicians, and nurses from the IMDH Blood Centre, along with members of the Blood Donors Association, facilitated the drive. The Association, established on October 8, 2000, organised the drive in collaboration with health officials, drawing participation from members of the ward.
According to the organisers, 16 individuals donated blood, while five were rejected after medical screening. “Among the donors, three were first-time participants, a positive sign of growing awareness about voluntary blood donation” marked Takalong Pongen, President Marepkong Youth Association. The Marepkong ward youth presently has around 30 active volunteers who donate blood whenever required, especially during medical emergencies.
A screening session was also conducted during the event, which included HIV testing, blood grouping, and other basic health checks. Several individuals turned up solely for the screening, the organisers informed.
Drenshah Jamir, Former Advisor of the Marepkong Youth Association and member of the Souvenir Committee, said that the initiative was revived as part of the Youth Association’s Silver Jubilee to reconnect with a community service that began over two decades ago. He noted that the association had first taken up the responsibility of organising voluntary blood donation in 2008, during a period when the local blood bank was not functioning efficiently.
Jamir recalled that at the time, several ward members were involved in accidents or were seriously ill and urgently needed blood. With limited options, help often came from CTC personnel, the Assam Rifles battalion, and a few individuals who voluntarily donated whenever called upon. “People were willing to help, but there was no proper system. Many did not know who needed blood, and the lack of awareness about blood groups and procedures made emergencies even more difficult,” he said.
It was during these challenges that the youth association resolved to establish a simple but practical mechanism. The general meeting of 2008 approved the initiative, and by 2009 the association began collecting contact numbers and categorising volunteers according to blood group. About 40 youths joined the voluntary donor database in the initial phase, though many have since moved away from the ward.
Jamir, who had been serving as an advisor then, said the aim was to create a platform where those willing to donate and those in need could be connected quickly. “A facility was not possible, but we could at least begin with a database and a pledge,” he noted, adding that he too had been a part of the donor group.
Reflecting on the positive impact the initiative has had over the years, Jamir said the Silver Jubilee celebration gave the opportunity to revive such meaningful work. With the IMDH blood bank now functioning well, he emphasised the need to continue contributing and to collaborate with various agencies that work in blood donation and emergency support. “Let us return to the good initiatives we started,” he said, urging the community to uphold the spirit of service.
Jubilee Planning Committee Convenor, Mayang Jamir, said that the Marepkong Youth Association will mark its 25th year of establishment on December 29. He noted that the association has been organising various activities over the past five years in preparation for the jubilee.
Appreciating those who participated in the day’s programme, Jamir acknowledged the volunteers who came forward to donate blood, adding that their service is meaningful for the community. He described the day’s contribution as a blessing for those in need.
A representative from the Blood Centre at IMDH appreciated the Marepkong Youth Association for organising the blood donation camp, noting that such an initiative by a ward-level youth group reflects a progressive mindset. He stated that in his five years of posting in Mokokchung, no ward had invited the blood bank for a donation camp, making this the first of its kind.
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Highlighting the challenges faced by the blood centre, he said that blood cannot be replaced by any other substance, and the Mokokchung blood bank continues to struggle to meet demand. Blood has a short shelf-life of about 35 to 40 days, depending on the system used, and therefore cannot be collected unnecessarily. Collection is done based on need, he added.
According to him, the demand for blood in Mokokchung is usually higher than the supply. Last year, the requirement was around 1,500 units, but the centre was able to collect only about 1,200 units due to reasons such as lack of matching blood groups or the absence of recipients at the time. He also observed that many people remain hesitant to donate, even though donating blood directly contributes to saving lives.
Molo Jamir, President of the Mokokchung District Voluntary Blood Donors Association, encouraged the Marepkong Youth Association to revive its earlier blood donor database and strengthen the initiative. He said that while people often hear about the importance of blood donation, only blood can replace blood, and donors themselves understand the sense of satisfaction that comes from helping save a life.
Sharing the background of his own association, he stated that the Mokokchung District Voluntary Blood Donors Association was established in 2011. At that time, although a blood bank existed, it was not functioning well due to the lack of available blood.
He recalled an incident on 14 June, observed as World Blood Donor Day, when a woman from Marepkong Ward came forward to donate blood. She informed them that her ward had already created a blood donor database in 2008 and had been actively functioning since then. Molo Jamir said he was impressed by the initiative taken by the ward and noted that such efforts show how community-led platforms can make a significant difference.
The Association stated that the drive was organised to promote voluntary blood donation and encourage community members to contribute towards saving lives as part of its Silver Jubilee initiatives.
