Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 06, 2011 News
– as World Blood Donors’ day draws near
Members from the Universal Church on Robb Street yesterday joined the many entities to donate to the Blood Bank
Coordinator at the Blood Bank Shameeza Mangal yesterday told Kaieteur News that over the weekend church members had about 40 visits, which accumulated about 25 units of blood.
Mangal explained that the church immediately got onboard with their team after the blood bank hinted that there was a need for the accumulation of blood since next week there are several scheduled open heart surgeries. Some four persons are expected to undergo “open heart” surgery over two days.
Kaieteur News was told that the blood bank needs as much blood, since each patient doing the surgery would need approximately between 18- 20 units.
Mangal explained that the doctors would normally send the components for the blood and they would have to ensure that they get it.
Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who was present, interjected and stressed the need for more donors.
Ramsammy explained that things have drastically changed over the last 10 years. The Minister explained that 10 years back there were only about 2500 units of blood available which mainly came from family members of persons who were required to donate blood for a relative.
“From doing just over 2,000 surgeries yearly to doing over 10,000 the need for blood has increased,” Ramsammy said.
He said that they still get family donors, but they are mainly focused on attracting voluntary donors.
The Minister said that approximately 80 percent of the blood in the bank comes mainly from voluntary donors.
“We are aiming for 12,000 units by 2012….and even when we acquire this we will still need more,” the Minister said.
He further stated that since times have changed and the amount of surgeries done have increased there is the increased need for blood.
“We need to raise about 14,000 units…more pregnant women are now being referred for C-section which requires about 1-4 units of blood,” Ramsammy said.
He further stated that even though some may not need to do the surgery, others who lose blood during delivery will also have to get blood to boost their system back.
He said that the private hospitals have also expanded their surgeries so the need for blood is across the board.
According to the Minister the aim is now to get donors to give blood more than thrice yearly and also to attract new donors.
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