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NBTS supply extremely depleted

Sep 10, 2008 News

…Without enough blood to facilitate a major crisis – Manager

The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) is appealing to members of the public to urgently donate blood of any type to the blood bank, as it is currently experiencing a severe shortage.
Speaking with this newspaper on the issue yesterday, National Blood Donor Manager, Shameenza Mangal said that if a disaster is to occur in the country, the facility would not be able to deal with the situation as the requisite supply of blood is not available.
She explained that the situation is so serious at this time that some patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) who have to undergo surgeries cannot do so, due to the unavailability of blood.
According to Mangal, there is a cancer patient at the hospital who requires three units of ‘O’ negative blood before he goes into surgery, but is prevented from doing so because of the inadequate blood supply.
She noted that it has been close to one month now since the bank has been experiencing the major shortage.
When asked to explain the sudden shortage of blood, since it was recently touted by Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy that the blood collection programme from voluntary donors had surpassed its target, Mangal noted that apart from supporting the GPHC and other regional hospitals, the NBTS also assists private hospitals with blood whenever they request it.
As it stands currently, the blood bank only has approximately eleven (11) units of blood available.
Mangal said that there has been a significant drop in voluntary donation, as persons are hardly coming forward to donate any blood.
A number of organizations had joined the voluntary blood donation initiative and had significantly boosted the local blood supply, but according to Mangal, this program is now experiencing some difficulties, as most of the organizations have failed to honor their commitment.
She noted that a number of organizations had promised to conduct blood drives during the course of this month, but most of them have backed out, stating that they are experiencing a shortage of staff.
However, as a measure of treating with the severe blood shortage, the NBTS has embarked on its ‘call back’ program, where staff will be calling persons from the bank’s database who had donated blood, to once again support the worthy cause.
In addition, the blood bank will also be urging some of the organizations to repeat blood drives so as to replenish the bank.
In June of this year, the NBTS had reported that it is making significant strides in its attempt to acquire 100 per cent voluntary blood donors, whilst at the same time efforts were being made to ensure that there is an adequate supply at all times.
Meanwhile, in July of this year, Minister Ramsammy had noted that over the last year there were approximately 1000 first time donors, which established that the goal set by the Health Ministry to have by 100% voluntary donation by 2010 will be achieved.
Minister Ramsammy had also indicated that Guyana would have exceeded its target of acquiring 7500 units of blood.
However, due to the severe shortage now being experienced, the blood bank is asking persons to visit the National Blood Transfusion Service, New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, West Demerara Regional Hospital, Suddie Regional Hospital and the Linden Hospital to donate blood.

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