The continuing demand for units of blood across the country has seen the Berbice Regional Health Authority (BRHA) undertaking an innovative call-in programme live on television, where persons are invited to pledge their unit of blood.
“The response has been good. In one show we had 106 pledges from persons who want to become voluntary donors,” Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, Chief Executive Officer of the BRHA, said.
He explained that Little Rock television in Region Six (East Berbice / Corentyne) has partnered with the Health Authority and has provided free air time for the initiative.
Mahadeo, expressing his appreciation, pointed out that the television station has pledged at least one hour free air time each month, for the next few months.
The BRHA CEO said, “Persons are willing to become donors, but they need to be sensitised to the need, and the air time helped to do this.
Mahadeo said of the 106 pledges made, several have come forward to donate their units and blood drives are being organized to facilitate the collection of those remaining as well as others.
“Saturday we collected 30 units at Sukhpual’s gas station in Skeldon, and three other drives are scheduled,” he said, “The next one will be at Port Mourant, then New Amsterdam and on May 1, at the Overwinning Bible Church.”
The Health Ministry has been encouraging Guyanese to come on board with the Good Samaritan programme and become voluntary blood donors.
Persons wishing to become voluntary donors are welcome at all five sites nationwide: the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) headquarters in Georgetown, and West Demerara Regional, New Amsterdam, Suddie and Linden hospitals.