On World Blood Day…
‘NEW blood for the world’ is the theme for World Blood Donor Day which was observed yesterday when Coordinator of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), Ms. Shameeza Mangal said a culture change is the ultimate aim.
She said the current focus is on getting more people involved in voluntary donation, so as to change the culture of blood collection in Guyana.
“We are moving away from family replacements. We want the majority of donated blood to be from volunteers. For this year, our aim is 9,000 units, with 80 per cent being from voluntary donors,” Mangal said.
She said the theme lends a more targeted approach to the work being done and, for 2010, the emphasis is being placed on pulling in donors from the public and private sectors, as well as from other sources, such as faith-based groups.
Mangal said those who are not donors are being encouraged to become and the current donors are encouraged to donate at least twice a year.
“A person can donate between two and six units a year,” she explained.
Mangal said last year’s response was encouraging when the voluntary blood donation was 68 per cent of the total collected, adding that the Good Samaritan Programme has been a success.
The flagship project, designed to encourage all adult Guyanese to become blood donors, allows each Guyanese to contribute to saving lives and, though, the Health Ministry aims to get at least 7,000 regular donors and, if this target is met and donors give twice a year, Guyana can be assured of 12,000 units, she said.
Mangal said, while no collection drives were expressly organized for yesterday’s observance, several are planned over the next weeks.
“For the day, we focused on thanking those who have supported us on this initiative,” she said.
Volunteers are welcome at all five sites nationwide, NBTS Headquarters in Georgetown, West Demerara Regional, New Amsterdam, Suddie and Linden hospitals.