MORE than 20 individuals along with collaborators were saluted by the Ministry of Health on Friday evening for their contribution towards voluntary blood donation to the public health sector.Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, in his address to the donors observed that it was only through their contributions that the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) achieved a total of 10,014 units of blood by August 31 this year.  He noted that this achievement is equivalent to 92% voluntary non-remunerated blood donations.
Dr Ramsaran expressed his happiness that the ministry is not on its own in this regard and that the civic duty of voluntary blood donation has caught on. He commended the staff of the NBTS for their hard work and dedication in office and during their field trips.
Pointing out the cooperation between 70 large corporations and the NBTS, the minister noted that the target achieved by the NBTS was made through hard work and investment. “This achievement is being used for creating a catalyst for better collection in the future,” Ramsaran said.
Noting that less blood has been discarded, he said that this was the result of the investment of improved leadership at the NBTS and its new head Dr. Nadia Liu.
Ramsaran also pointed to the ready availability of blood which enables lives to be saved from road accidents and ensuring of safe motherhood.
The Health Minister urged the donors to spread the message of voluntary donation, since the intention is to achieve 100% voluntary blood donations in the near future.
Persons who were awarded are Leo Sawh and Ron Robinson, who each achieved donations of over 100 units and Mohan Gobin who donated more than 54 units. Six persons donated over 30 units while 12 donated over 20 units each.
Collaborators who were awarded for assisting were the Arya Samaj movement, Marian Academy,the Ministry of Education,the Seventh Day Adventist Church,the Guyana Red Cross and the Saraswatie Vidya Niketan School.

(GINA)