ISLAMABAD: To mark the World Blood Donor Day 2016, a seminar was held at the federal government Polyclinic (FGPC) Hospital on Friday under the banner of safe blood transfusion programmed (SBTP). The event, themed, “Share Life Give Blood”, and “Blood connects us all”, was aimed at recognising regular blood donators at the Polyclinic blood bank. A camp at the venue offered free blood group testing and donor registration. Pamphlets and literature covering various issues and general questions regarding blood donation were distributed among the participants. The FGPC Executive Director Dr. Raja Amjad Mehmood and SBTP Deputy Director, Dr. Amir Maqbool participated as chief guests. The speakers repeatedly highlighted and dispelled myths associated with donating blood. Talking about health benefits associating with donating blood, Amjad said that if an individual makes a habit of donating blood every 120 days it can improve overall health. “It is a huge misconception that giving blood will make you weak or lead to other medical complications,” he added. He also said that there was a need to encourage young and healthy people to donate blood. He appreciated the efforts of the SBTP team in implementing the blood transfusion programme and raising awareness about voluntary blood donation. While talking to the Daily Times, Dr. Maqbool highlighted the progress and achievements of the programme and listed the efforts and strategy to promote voluntary blood donations through mobilisation of university students in Islamabad. He also appreciated the commitment of the government to promote the cause of blood safety in the country and also thanked the German government for their support. The SBTP, initiated in 2010, has started to bear fruit and has created a platform for all the stakeholders in the sector of blood transfusion. It has developed into a very impressive public health programme and is being successfully implemented not only at the federal level but also in all the provinces. Dr. Iftikhar Malik, Dean PGMI highlighted the need for voluntary blood donation in Pakistan and mentioned that the FGPC was working on a strategy to provide safe blood to patients in need. Dr. Syed Imtiaz Hasan, Head of Pathology, FGPC also spoke on the occasion and said the safest blood donors were voluntary, nonremunerated blood donors from low risk populations. The blood bank is striving to shift from the family replacement donation system to the voluntary donation system. Dr. Rohi Khalil, Consultant Haematologist, FGPC, deliberated on this year’s theme of the World Blood Donor Day. She said the theme focuses on thanking blood donors and highlights the dimension of “Sharing” and “Connection” between blood donors and patients.