Blood drive on July 9 at Baptist College, Kohima. (Photo by Morung)
our correspondent
Kohima | July 9th
As part of its 24th general conference underway here, the Nagaland Medical Students Association (NMSA) today spoke on oral hygiene, mental health and blood donation.
In collaboration with the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society, Blood Bank-Naga Hospital Authority Kohima and the Red Ribbon Club, Baptist College, Kohima, NMSA today held a blood drive and awareness campaign at Baptist College, Kohima.
During the awareness session, Dr. Temsulong Pongener spoke about mental health.
He said that the Covid-19 pandemic has also had a severe impact on the mental health and well-being of people around the world.
“If this pandemic has had a silver lining; it is the fact that many more people are now aware of the importance of mental health. Unfortunately, this is due in part to the distressing effect of the pandemic on people’s mental well-being,” Dr. Pongener said.
He said that Covid-19 has shown people that mental health is real, mental health can be serious, mental health can be difficult to treat, and mental health resources can be difficult to access.
As many as 60 million people in India, if not more, suffer from various forms of mental illness in the country.
About 5% of the country’s population suffers from mental disorders such as anxiety or depression.
“Mental illness can be a difficult thing to manage, both for the person suffering from it and for those around them. However, there are many different treatment options available, and with the right treatment and support, people with mental illness can recover and lead happy, healthy lives,” she said.
Dr. Myingthungo Ngullie also spoke about oral hygiene.
30 students donate blood
Thirty students donated blood during the blood drive with 12 from the Red Ribbon Club, Baptist College, Kohima and 18 from the NMSA fraternity.
“By donating blood, you can save humanity,” said Dr. Avila Sangtam, Medical Officer, Blood Bank, NHAK.
Speaking about donating blood, he told NMSA to spread awareness about the importance of donating blood.
Earlier, Dr. Sentinaro, Nodal Professor, RRC Baptist College Kohima delivered a welcome address.
Meanwhile, the devotional service will take place on July 10 at 9:00 am at the ATI Complex Kohima.
The presentation will be given by the president of the NMSA, Dr. Kuveluzo Chizo.
The service will be led by Moatoshi Imsong, Secretary of State, UESI, Nagaland.
There will also be a workshop session at 2:30 pm with Dr. Sedevi Angami, CIHSR Director. The session will deal with the Christian perspective of bioethics and communication in the relationship between health and physical patient.
