.jpg)
NBTS Director, Dr. Nadia Liu, said that since the last appeal for voluntary donors to come forward, the Blood Bank has received some support, but more is needed. “We have collected units and are grateful for the efforts of the individuals who supported us, but still the demand is very high,” she said.
The NBTS is inviting ‘walk in’ donors, instead of having family donating for replacements.
Liu, while expressing her gratitude for the units donated, noted that the bank is still behind and not meeting the buffer stock limit.
She said no blood drives have been scheduled, as the majority of the host parties have asked for those to be postponed.
But she is pleading for more members of the public to become voluntary donors in the effort to save lives.
Three lives
Liu reminded that one unit of blood can save three lives, and said, “We are encouraging persons to become voluntary donors; we hope people understand that it is about saving lives and, hopefully, recognise what a privilege it is to be a donor.”
She added that this year’s target is 10,000 units, and mentioned that the NBTS is open Mondays through Fridays from 08:00hrs to 18:30 hrs, and Saturdays from 08:00hrs to 15:00hrs.
Companies, groups and individuals interested in being part of the NBTS ‘Good Samaritan’ programme can contact the Blood Bank on telephone number 223-7182.
Interested volunteers are welcome at the six sites nationwide, including:
* NBTS headquarters, in Georgetown Public Hospital compound
* New Amsterdam Hospital in Berbice
* Suddie Hospital, Essequibo Coast
* Linden Hospital at Mackenzie and
* West Demerara Regional Hospital, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.
