In 2010…
GUYANA met its 2010 target for collection from voluntary donors through 80 per cent of the total, National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) Coordinator, Ms. Shameeza Mangal disclosed. She said, Sunday, that the challenge now is to sustain the progress.
“We need between four and eight per cent of Guyana’s adult population to come on board with the Good Samaritan Programme and become voluntary donors. Right now we have only about 1.5 per cent,” Mangal informed.
The programme, which is the flagship of blood donor recruitment, has progressed over the course of that year, she said. It is designed to encourage all adult Guyanese to donate and allows each of them to contribute to saving lives.
Through it, the Ministry of Health aims to recruit 7,000 Guyanese as regular blood donors and, if the goal is achieved, with each of them donating twice a year, Guyana can be assured of 12,000 units, Mangal said.
She said, currently, more and more people are stepping up to the challenge of becoming volunteers.
“With the walk-in-donors and the call backs that we do, we are trying to meet an increasing need, which is why we want more people to come on board,” Mangal explained.
She emphasised the importance of blood donations and the significance it has on the persons who benefit from the gift of life.
Voluntary givers are welcomed at all five sites nationwide, the NBTS headquarters in Georgetown, West Demerara Regional, New Amsterdam, Suddie and Linden hospitals and persons requiring further information can telephone number 227-0418.