The occasion was graced by the esteemed Chief Guest Dr. A.K. Walia ,Hon’ble Minister of Health &Family welfare, Irrigation, Flood, Employment& Revenue , Govt of NCT,  Delhi. Mr. Deepender Singh Hooda,   Hon’ble   Member of Lok sabha and Vice Chairman of Indian Red Cross Society was the Guest of Honor.   Dr (Prof) S.P Agarwal Secretary General, IRCS extended his warm welcome to all the guests which also included Mr Azmat ullah , Head South Asian Regional Delegation, Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies.

Indian Red Cross Society NHQ observed World Health Day on 7.04.11. This was the 62nd World Health Day and this year the focus was on anti-microbial resistance and its global spread – ‘No Action today- no cure tomorrow’.  Anti microbial resistance (AMR) and its global spread threatens the continued effectiveness of many medicines used today to treat the sick while at the same time it risks jeopardizing important advances being made against major infectious diseases.

The occasion was graced by the esteemed Chief Guest Dr. A.K. Walia ,Hon’ble Minister of Health &Family welfare, Irrigation, Flood, Employment& Revenue , Govt of NCT, Delhi. Mr. Deepender Singh Hooda, Hon’ble Member of Lok sabha and Vice Chairman of Indian Red Cross Society was the Guest of Honor. Dr (Prof) S.P Agarwal Secretary General, IRCS extended his warm welcome to all the guests which also included Mr Azmat ullah , Head South Asian Regional Delegation, Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies. Dr(Prof) S.P Agarwal expressed his grave concern over about the rising growth of Anti Microbial Resistance globally . He opined that Antibiotics are important drugs, perhaps the most important. In a world beset with an unprecedented wave of new and old infections, it is critically important that antibiotics work well when people need them. He further articulated that antibacterial drugs loose effectiveness when they are frequently misused- over prescribed or incorrectly taken by patients. He put forward that according to the report of Mayo clinic in Rochester each year 100,000 people in the United States die from hospital acquired infections that are resistant to antibiotics. Across Europe, 31,000 deaths each year are attributed to such infections, and they are thought to contribute to another 110,000 deaths. Effective prescription of Antibiotics will not only curb resistance but decrease adverse drug reactions and eliminate or shorten hospital days. He further urged that consideration of patient’s age, drug allergy or intolerance; recent antibiotic use and genetic characteristics are important factors while determining the need for antibiotics. It is also important to adhere to the complete treatment and consultation with doctors is required regarding the use of antibiotics during pregnancy and nursing.

Mr. Deepender Singh Hooda, expressed his privilege to be present amongst his colleagues on an important occasion to address a growing concern. He stressed the emergence of the latest blood testing techniques all over the globe and urged Dr. Walia to include Indian Red Cross in all pioneering initiatives.

Dr. A.K. Walia, appreciated the endeavor of IRCS to promote voluntary blood donation, render services to the Thalassaemic children as well supply blood to Government and Private Hospitals/Nursing homes. He assured support in opening of at least 2 district branches Red Cross in Delhi. Dr Walia further expressed his cooperation to introduce the desired blood safety test of Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) and Leuco – depletion.

The day ended with vote of thanks to all the guests and officials of IRCS present in the occasion.

The day ended with vote of thanks to all the guests and officials of IRCS present in the occasion.