Srinagar, June 13 : In a poignant tribute to the victims of the recent Ahmedabad air crash, the Department of Surgery at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, in collaboration with the J&K Chapter of the Association of Surgeons of India (JAKASI), on Thursday organized a voluntary blood donation camp to honour the departed and promote the spirit of humanitarian service.
Held within the premises of the college, the blood donation drive was jointly supported by the Department of Transfusion Medicine (Blood Centre), which ensured seamless logistical coordination for the event. The initiative reflected not just grief, but also a proactive resolve to convert sorrow into a meaningful gesture of solidarity.
The camp was inaugurated by Dr. Iffat Hassan Shah, Principal of GMC Srinagar, under whose patronage the event was held. In an emotive address, Dr. Shah hailed the selfless contributions of healthcare professionals in times of national crisis. “Tragedies remind us of our deeper calling—not just as medical professionals, but as compassionate humans,” she said.
Setting an inspiring tone for the event, Prof. Iqbal Saleem Mir, Head of the Department of Surgery and Chairman of JAKASI, became the first donor of the day. His symbolic act of donating blood underscored the message that leadership in medicine must be rooted in empathy and service.
“This camp is not merely a remembrance; it is an expression of shared grief transformed into life-saving action,” Prof. Mir remarked.
The camp witnessed active participation from faculty, senior and junior residents, and medical staff, with dozens of blood units collected.
Organizers said that beyond replenishing blood reserves, the camp aimed to spread awareness about the critical importance of voluntary blood donation, especially in disaster response and emergency preparedness.
Dr. Shazia Handoo, Head of the Department of Blood Transfusion Medicine, along with Mr. Mohd Ashraf Haqaq, Administrator of GMC Srinagar, and Mr. Adil Mustafa Bhat, Blood Bank Organiser, played key roles in the smooth execution of the camp.
The initiative stood out for its dual purpose—honouring lives lost in the Ahmedabad tragedy while reaffirming the ethos of collective healing through compassionate action. It also highlighted the commitment of GMC Srinagar and JAKASI to sustain such service-driven programmes that strengthen community resilience.
The Department of Surgery and JAKASI extended deep condolences to the bereaved families and pledged to continue organising similar humanitarian initiatives in the future, keeping alive the message that in the face of tragedy, giving back is the most enduring tribute. (CNS)
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