Mizoram Lok Sabha MP donates blood donation bus

Aizawl: In a notable gesture of public service, Mizoram’s lone Lok Sabha MP, Richard Vanlalhmangaihna, donated a blood donation bus to the Aizawl Civil Hospital blood bank on Friday. The 12-seater Tata Winger, worth ₹18 lakh, was officially received by the President of the Association for Blood Donation (ABVD). The donation, made under the MPLADS (Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) fund, is the first of its kind by a Mizoram MP. Addressing the gathering, Vanlalhmangaihna said, “Free blood donation is not common in other states, and even today, people rarely donate blood unless it’s needed by family or friends. But in Mizoram, we have a long-standing tradition of donating blood to the blood bank, and I pray that we continue this noble gesture.” ABVD President C. Lalnunnema lauded the contribution and recalled that the last similar initiative came in 2007, when former MP Vanlalzawma helped acquire a mini blood donation bus through a CSR initiative by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited. He also highlighted Mizoram's vibrant culture of voluntary blood donation, driven by church youth, students, NSS volunteers, the Young Mizo Association, police and armed forces, NGOs, political parties, and many individual regular donors. The CHA Model Blood Bank organizes multiple blood donation camps annually, and with a target of 93.71% voluntary donations for 2024–25, the newly donated bus is expected to significantly enhance outreach and collection during statewide campaigns.