Health Ministry honors 176 blood donors -Guyana moves from 20% to 55% donation mark

Source: Guyana Chronicle, 17th June 2008

HEALTH Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy has hailed the contributions of voluntary donors and encouraged them to continue their good work.

“Let’s continue to be good Samaritans. It is one of the good things each one of us can do whatever our status, race or political affiliation”. These words of encouragement were given by, Dr. Ramsammy to voluntary blood donors during the World Blood Donors’ Day award ceremony.

The Ministry of Health last Saturday honoured 176 voluntary blood donors at the Umana Yana, Kingston for their sterling contributions to the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) over the past year.

The ceremony, held under the theme “Give Blood Regularly” was attended by the

Country Representative of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Kathleen Israel, NBTS Director Clement McEwan and other officials who joined in the celebrations of Guyana’s significant 60 percent blood donation achievement mark.

Dr. Ramsammy said Guyana has moved from a 20 percent donation mark to over 55 percent which is a tremendous achievement and shows Guyanese are committed to save lives.

He said Guyana has been listed in the books as one of the countries not generous in giving blood but today this has been proven wrong. The Minister said by 2009, the Ministry is hoping to achieve its 100 percent target, and he is confident that the target will be achieved because of the committed donors.

“Donating blood allows us to do something meaningful, whether its one unit or 20 units in our lifetime. The simple act of generosity lasts forever in somebody’s life,” Dr. Ramsammy said.

It was noted that giving blood truly saves lives in a world where pregnancy, poor nutrition, infection, surgery, accidents among others existed and blood is needed.

Minister Ramsammy said people are willing to donate blood and the Ministry has not been disappointed when persons are asked to give a donation, whether during an emergency or not. However, the Minister pointed out that his Ministry has failed to reach out to people in every part of country which is at present being reviewed.

The Health Minister said despite this failure Guyana has worked hard to achieve its success ensuring safe and fast blood to the recipients.

He said this success could not have been possible without the partnership of several agencies such as faith-based organizations, schools, corporations and most importantly, the local citizens.

“International organisations have played a major role in the development of the Guyana blood donation drive providing resources and funds, which I express my gratitude to the Government and its people of the United States of America,” Minister Ramsammy said.

It is hoped that World Blood Donor Day will create wider awareness of the importance of voluntary blood donation and encourage people to become regular blood donors. The day is also designed to celebrate and thank those individuals who voluntary donate their blood without any reward, except with the knowledge that they have helped to save lives.

The NBTS was established within the Ministry of Health to technically oversee all blood services in public institutions at regional levels. NBTS provides assistance with blood transfusion services to both public and private institutions throughout the country.

The Health Information System tracks the percentage of healthy volunteer donors which currently numbers approximately 25,000 persons. During 2007, over 7,094 units of blood were collected nationwide including regional and private hospitals of which 5,475 units were collected by the NBTS. (GINA)