NBTS appeals for blood donation during Christmas

Nov 17, 2008 News

Following the severe shortage of blood the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) has recently experienced, there has been some amount of improvement in terms of voluntary donation.

This is according to national blood donor manager of the NBTS, Shameeza Mangal, who noted that a number of corporate entities have come on board and organized blood drives which have significantly boost the stock of blood at the NBTS.

Yesterday, members of the Sai Baba organization held a blood drive at their Queenstown location, which saw the NBTS receiving a total of 50 units of blood with only seven deferrals.

She explained that the aim was to collect 83 units of blood in observance of Sai Baba’s 83rd birth anniversary, but the aim was obviously not achieved.

However, Mangal noted that while there has been an overall improvement in receiving blood, there is a need for the NBTS to stock up for the Christmas season, as she noted that, during the holiday season there is a decrease in voluntary donation, while at the same time the season sees an increase in accidents, and as such there will be the need for adequate blood to be available if an emergency is to arise.

When asked if the NBTS anticipates a shortage of blood during the Christmas season, Mangal said that the blood bank does not foresee any shortage, as the hospitals will be closing off elective surgery in early December.

However, she pointed out that there will be emergency cases that would come up and, as such, the NBTS has to ensure that there is adequate blood available to facilitate any such occurrences.

She explained that, on November 18, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will be hosting two blood drives; one behind the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, where the NBTS is hoping to collect 40 units of blood, and the other drive will be at Camp Stephenson, where there is expected to be 100 units of blood donated.

The following week, the GDF will also be hosting another drive, this time at Camp Ayanganna, where another 100 units of blood will be collected by the NBTS.

The army alone, Mangal said, will be contributing 240 units of blood, and this, she noted, is expected to last until the Christmas season. The GDF will be involved in these blood drives as part of their celebrations for their 43rd anniversary.

However, she pointed out that persons still need to donate during the holidays, as blood does not have a long shelf life, and during the month of December the NBTS has a difficult time in getting corporate entities to host organized blood drives.