THE National Blood Transfusion Unit (blood bank) conducted two collection drives within the past week at the Ministry of Health and at the Davis Memorial Hospital, both in Georgetown.
Through those activities, the blood bank was able to acquire 18 units of blood from 38 donors at the Health Ministry, and nine additional units from 24 donors at the Davis Memorial Hospital.
Phlebotomist(a person skilled in extracting blood), Ms. Radha Radhari said the blood bank relies on donations from public-spirited citizens to assist in situations where transfusion may be the only way to save lives.
She said the blood bank is thoroughly thankful for every viable drop of blood donated.
Ms. Ramdhari said the blood bank would always welcome donations of blood, as blood is always needed to alleviate life and death situations.
She invited other organisations to take the initiative in sponsoring similar blood donating exercises.
She was happy to see persons cooperating and showing a positive attitude towards donating blood, while organisations have been involved themselves in the mission to acquire blood throughout the years, and have been pledging to continue doing so.
Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran witnessed the blood bank and Red Cross Society staffers assisting in the exercise conducted at the Ministry of Health.
Dr Ramsaran said he was pleased at the number of persons who donated blood and was satisfied that the host institution had made the receipt an annual event.
He noted that the Health Ministry has been playing the leading role in blood collection drives and acknowledged the importance of every unit of blood donated.
He could not have been present at the exercise conducted at the Davis Memorial Hospital, but extended his deepest gratitude to the donors, and encouraged those who have not yet donated blood to prioritise the experience.