Latest update April 20th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 15, 2011 News
Yesterday Guyana joined the world in celebrating “World Blood Donor Day”, and the blood bank observed the occasion by releasing 90 red balloons, a symbol of their appreciation for local blood givers.
World Blood Donor Day was initiated in 2004, on June 14, by the World Health Organisation in collaboration with the Ministers of Health worldwide, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.
Tiffany Obermuller, who is a telerecruiter at the Blood Bank, yesterday told the small gathering that ever since the initiation of World Blood Donor Day, Guyana, through the Ministry of Health has been actively recognising its significance.
Obermuller said that the aim is to raise global awareness of the need for safe blood and products for transfusion.
Special acknowledgment was given to the valuable contribution made by voluntary unpaid donors to national health system.
This year the occasion was observed under the theme of “More blood donors….More Healthy Lives”.
Obermuller explained that the significance of releasing 90 red balloons was as a result of the mandate given by the Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy to recruit more voluntary unpaid blood donors, thereby ensuring at least 90 percent of voluntary blood donation in 2011.
In brief remarks Dr. Ramsammy said that his ministry is hoping to have over 5000 donors, donating between one and two units of blood.
He explained that between 12,000 and 14,000 units of blood are required to meet their goal.
Ramsammy pointed out that if the goal is to be met, they need to get 1 ½ or two percent of the adult population to be regular donors.
“That means we should
get 5000 to 7000 adults giving blood… about two units of blood each” the minister said.
Ramsammy said that presently they receive about 8000 units a year, which works out to about one percent of the adult population. He said that they are close to the target, and need to persuade donors to give more than once a year.
World Blood Donor Day is the day dedicated to “thanking and celebrating voluntary non-remunerated blood donors”. It occurs, as indicated, on June 14, the birthday of Karl Landsteiner, the creator of the ABO blood group system, for which he won the Nobel Prize.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
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