BLOOD Donor Day on Tuesday was observed under the theme, “Blood Connects Us All” and the Ministry of Public Health has challenged the public to work with the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) in achieving its vision of having 100 per cent voluntary blood donations by 2020.Blood Donor Day was set aside to raise awareness of the crucial importance of blood donations, as well as to give recognition to voluntary donors for their continued support.
The ministry along with the NBTS is firm in their vision of ensuring blood is more freely donated.
Meanwhile, Guyana has moved from achieving 25 per cent in voluntary blood donations in 1990 to 90 per cent currently, and this brings the country closer to its goal of having full support from the public in enhancing the health sector.
The NBTS has recorded a total of 9,698 units of blood donated annually as well as a number of blood drives conducted on a regular basis. However, their aim is to have 10,000-12,000 units donated yearly, since this is the average amount required for over 15,000 surgeries.
The achievement so far was credited to the competence of the NBTS, which has been the initiator of a number of projects over the past decade for promoting voluntary blood donations across Guyana.
NBTS Director, Dr Pedro Lewis,has reported that there is a significant improvement in the number of voluntary donors who visit regularly to make donations to the blood bank. In addition, he stated that a number of organisations have been working in close association with the NBTS in organising blood drives across the regions.
However, there remains a dire need for the continuation of this response, as the blood bank is always in need in order to deal with emergency cases.