By: Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings
THE World Health Organization (WHO), along with its various international partners, continues to place great emphasis on the importance of universal access to health care services in saving lives and ending extreme poverty. Our goal at the Ministry of Public Health is to ensure that these goals are realised maximally.
One of the important programmes promoted by the WHO that has gained significant attention and international support, is the Blood Transfusion Safety Programme. This programme is particularly designed for countries to establish and maintain self-sustaining national blood systems, to ensure timely access to safe and sufficient supplies of blood and blood products, as well as to develop good transfusion practices to meet patients’ needs.
Many studies have revealed that blood transfusion saves lives and improves the overall health of donors. However, many patients requiring blood do not have timely access to safe blood. The absence of blood can be life-threatening for someone. Providing a safe and adequate supply of blood should be an integral part of every country’s national health care policy and infrastructure. The Ministry of Public Health recognises and acknowledges this significant need. As a consequence, I am very pleased to say that here in Guyana, we have our National Blood Transfusion Centre – a modern facility that utilises international best practices.
Maintaining a stable and reliable supply of safe blood depends on the availability of a committed base of regular voluntary blood donors. Today, I want to take time to recognise all those persons who continue to donate blood to our Blood Bank. I salute you. I thank you. I want to encourage you to continue to make your very significant donations to the Blood Bank and encourage others to do the same.
I would also like to urge those who have never donated blood before to get involved in the practice. It is safe. It is healthy. And most importantly, it is life-saving.
Why give blood?
The common question asked by many persons is why should someone be part of this phenomenal life-changing act. Why become a voluntary blood donor? A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), found that participants between the ages 43 to 61 years who donated blood every six months had fewer heart attacks and strokes. This finding clearly highlights that giving blood can contribute to the preservation of cardiovascular health.
It also reduces the risk of haemochromatosis, which is an excess iron build-up. The excess iron build-up in the blood has been linked to some cancers. After giving blood, one’s body works to replenish the blood loss. This activity stimulates the production of new blood cells, which in turn helps to maintain good health.
Another very important benefit is that the process of screening before donation can be considered as free health assessment. This screening exercise usually includes checking for a wide range of infectious diseases. In addition, important vitals such as blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and haemoglobin levels are checked.
While there are several physical benefits to donating blood, another powerful benefit is arguably in the psychological realm. Donating blood means that someone (or up to three persons) somewhere will be getting the help that they desperately need. It is important to note that, despite advances in science and medicine, the only source of blood remains the donors; there is absolutely no substitute or replacement.
While giving blood is good for the health of donors, it can be a life-saving gesture for the person or persons in need of blood. The absence or presence of blood at the crucial moment means life or death for a patient.
Blood is used for elective surgeries (hysterectomies, mastectomy, etc.) as well as emergency surgeries, (especially in motor vehicular accidents and for victims of crime). It is required for treating patients suffering from cancer, bleeding disorders, chronic anaemia associated with cancer, sickle cell anaemia, and other hereditary blood abnormalities. Blood is also life-saving in the maternal and child health department for complicated deliveries, in certain infectious diseases; and the list goes on.
So please, remember that when you decide to roll up your sleeves and sit down in that chair to give blood, know with certainty that you are making a major difference in your life and most importantly in the life of a patient. This noble, unselfish and altruistic act is priceless.
To those undecided persons who may need some additional motivation to begin the honourable and humane gesture of donating blood, be assured that it is a safe exercise that is mutually beneficial. Apart from its obvious medical benefits, giving blood gives one a general sense of well-being, knowing that your contribution of blood will allow another human being a fighting chance to further live and enjoy life.
