Blood Donation Culture: Guidelines for the Integration of Dhamma Principles for the Public Health Promotion, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Mukda Watakulsin, Dr.Nuttaphong Phudla, Dr.Boonsom Yardmali

Abstract

Thai Red-Cross Council had opened the blood center for public services at the first time on January 18, 1952. Then it had expanded into many branches and activities, becoming the blood donation culture until the present time. This research aimed at: 1) examining the history and importance of blood donation in Nakhon Ratchasima Province; 2) investigating the Dhamma principles that involve the blood donation for promoting the public health in Nakhon Ratchasima Province; and 3) exploring the integrated guidelines for blood donation toward public health promotion n Nakhon Ratchasima Province. There were 150 informants totally; these included: 5 key-informants; 25 casual informants; and 120 general informants. The research tools included a preliminary survey form, an observation form, and interview form, and a focus group form. The data were checked for their accountability with triangulation techniques and analyzed in accordance with the given objectives. Concerning the history and importance of the blood donation in Nakhon Ratchasima province, it was found that there were 4 branches of national blood services of the Red-Cross council. They included: 1) at the Maharaj Hospital, in 2006; 2) at the Red-Cross Office, in 1993; 3) at the Mall Department Stores, in 2006; 4) at the Fifth National Blood Service Region, Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University, in 2013. Regarding the Dhamma Principles that involved in blood donation for the promotion of public health in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, it concerned with the four bhramvihan-metta, karuna, muthita, and ubekha. Blood donation culture derived from helping mind toward the sick persons. They were of Buddhist majority and wished to help other with metta (feeling sorry for others), karuna (giving a hand to others), and muthita (sharing with others). On the guidelines for the integration of dhamma principle in terms of blood donation for public health promotion in Nakhon Ratchasima province, it could be done through the use of the brahmvihasi, which could create good attitude in terms of physical, social, emotion, and mind. This was the way to establish good relation between the givers and the receivers. The blood donners were honored and proud of themselves.