THE Ministry of Health has issued an urgent appeal for donations of blood because it said in December last it collected just 50% of the set target.

The following is the text of the appeal from the health ministry:

“In December 2008, we collected just 228 units of blood. This was less than 50% of the target for December which was 540 units of blood.

The low level of collection is consistent with collection levels for December months of previous years. It is a holiday period of many persons and regular donors tend to want to wait until after December to donate. It is a challenge we need to overcome.

This year, the problem has been compounded by the inclement weather. Not only have we had to deal with heavy rainfalls, but many communities have had to deal with flooding situation.

The consequence is the National Blood Transfusion Service has a very low count of blood units in stock.

We are, therefore, issuing an urgent appeal for blood donors. We need all kinds of blood and we are urging Guyanese to assist us to ensure hospitals have adequate supplies of blood for those of our sisters and brothers who might need blood at this time.

We are grateful for the almost 7,500 units of blood collected in 2008. In spite of the record amount of blood collected, we start 2009 with a shortage of blood. We are at least 60% below the stock level we need for normal services.

This means lives are at risk.
This is, therefore, an urgent call by the Ministry of Health for persons to donate blood.

Please visit any of the following locations to make your donation:

National Blood Transfusion Service, GPHC Compound, Lamaha Street, Georgetown.

New Amsterdam Regional Hospital.

Suddie Regional Hospital.

Linden Regional Hospital