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GPL Hosts Blood Drive

Oct 17, 2009 News

In light of the serious blood shortage situation at the National Blood Bank, Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) decided to host a blood drive at its Main Street Branch on Thursday.
The activities coincided with the power company’s 10th anniversary celebrations, which commenced October 1, last.
Prior to the drive, the company held a sensitisation session on October 13, to better familiarise the staff with the importance of the donations.
Only company staffers participated in the drive, and as standard with all other blood drives, they were subject to prior blood tests. One unit of blood could go toward saving up to three lives.
Only two among those who turned out for the donations were turned away because of health problems.
Among those who took part were the power company’s Information Technology Divisional Director, Renford Homer, and an Office Attendant Jennifer Francois, both of whom were first time blood donors.
According to Assistant Public Relations Officer, Shevion Sears Murray, there was an “excellent turn out,” explaining that there was a required minimum of 25 staffers to be catered for. In all, more than 40 staff members turned out for the drive.
The blood drive was coordinated by the Safety, Health and Environmental Unit and Public Relations Department of GPL, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
All donors were given energy drinks after their one unit donations, and were in receipt of red hand bands as a thank you for making the donation.
Proceeds from this drive add to the barely adequate blood supply currently held at the National Blood Bank.
Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy had envisioned a 10,000 unit target for the end of the year, a target which he admitted is unreachable.
However the Health Minister did announce in a past interview with this newspaper that over 50 per cent of that target has been met, and he is on record as saying “I have not given up hope that we’re going to get 8000 (units of blood) this year.”
For the past nine months of the year well over 5100 units of blood has been obtained countrywide blood drives held by the Ministry of Health as well as other organisations such as the GPL.
The Minister is anticipating an 8000 unit target for the end of the year, this he said would require 900 units per month for the remainder of the year.

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