BANDUNG, unpas.ac.id – Student Association (Ikatan Keluarga Mahasiswa, IKM) of Faculty of Medicine Universitas Pasundan hold the blood donor and socialization event of “Kenal Thalassemia” on Saturday, 4 September 2021 in PMI Office Centre Bandung, Jl. Aceh No. 79 Bandung.
The event is part of the Program Orientasi Studi dan Pengenalan Kampus (Prospek) of 2021 Unpas Faculty of Medicine. Based on the timeline arranged by the committee, the series of this program will be held on 4-19 September 2021.
Committee of the Event Division, Tazhanin Aulia said that the series of the event consisted of the implementation of blood donor social project, socialization of Kabayan-Iteung and blood donor, and the election of Kabayan-Iteung and the main event of 2021 Prospek which is going to be held in two periods on a schedule basis, 11-12 September and 18-19 September 2021.
Thalassemia is a blood disorder that is inherited from parents. It causes anemia or lack of blood which allows sufferers to easily feel tired, sleepy, and short of breath.
This disorder is not contagious, but it needs to be watched out for, especially thalassemia major, because it can cause complications in the form of heart failure, stunted growth, liver disorders, and even death.
“This event aims to help thalassemia survivors to easily to obtain blood. Moreover, during Covid-19 pandemic, the blood supply for thalassemia patients decreased. Most importantly, we as medical students, must uphold humanity,” she explained.
Tazha added that new students of Unpas Faculty of Medicine were required to make educational contents about thalassemia posted in their own social media accounts. They were divided into 5 groups and tutored by mentor.
“Thalassemia patient depends and relies on blood donor supplied from the others. Therefore, this event is important to help them survive. Because they need to obtain blood transfusion once every two weeks,” she explained.
By this event, Tazha hoped that there will be a lot of people who are aware to be always grateful and empathetic. Thalassemia is a genetic disorder that is prolonged, so its treatment needs to be done for life.
“Be grateful since you are healthy enough. Be empathetic towards people who have disadvantages by giving them spirit and little help, such as blood donor for thalassemia sufferers,” she said.
In the future, members of IKM of Unpas Faculty of Medicine will continue to hold this kind of socialization program to the closest neighbourhood regarding the importance of early detection on thalassemia disorder and matters that need to be prevented before.
“We also will take part on viewing the graphic of its increase and decrease; one of which is by doing collaboration with PMI related to the blood provisions for thalassemia survivors,” he concluded. (Reta)*