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Health Minister appeals for blood to address festive season demands

Dec 11, 2010 News

Although the need for blood is likely to skyrocket during this festive season, the number of blood donors has considerably declined. This is according to Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, who revealed that traditionally the month of December is the month of the lowest collection of blood.
“During this month we usually have an elevated number of accidents for some reason. Also, we have delivery of babies that are greater than other months. I don’t know what that is related to, but that is the truth. So our need for blood usually surges…”
And as the second half of December nears, the Minister revealed a need for approximately 1,000 units of blood at the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS).
The average collection of blood per month, he said, is about 600 units of blood which means that in December when people take a break from donation, the Health Sector is forced to manage with about 50 percent of the quota of blood needed to satisfy the anticipated demand.
“We are asking for persons who are regular donors to come forward at this time. This should be an excellent time for those who are thinking of becoming a donor.”
And though the Ministry of Health had had a target of achieving 10,000 units of blood next year, the Minister revealed that even if that target is achieved it certainly would not be enough.
This, he attributed to the expanded surgical services offered at public health facilities.
“We are now in a position where we would need 12,000 units which would be an almost 50 percent increase in the amount of blood we normally collect. So we would have to accelerate our efforts.”
He said that the Ministry would need about 50 blood drives in addition to everyday donation in order to meet its target.
And already the Ministry has organised 22 blood drives for next year.
“This is the first time in our history that we are able to organise the blood drives a year ahead of time.”
Meanwhile, Minister Ramsammy said that the Ministry is in need of other organisations and volunteers to come on board to help organise an additional 30 blood drives for this year if the NBTS is to satisfy the increasing demand this holiday season.
The need for blood, nevertheless, is expected to remain a constant dilemma faced by the NBTS which could easily impact the additional surgical operations offered by the public health sector.
It was just earlier this year, NBTS Blood Donor Manager, Shameeza Mangal, said that the blood bank was faced with a situation whereby enough persons were not volunteering themselves as regular donors.
Even some institutions, she revealed, are not committing to hosting regular blood drives thus resulting in a shortage problem.  “Some people promise to give blood and then when the time comes they do not turn up. There are organisations, too, that host blood drives but when we ask to have repeat sessions they are reluctant…”
Mangal pointed out that this development is also serving to negatively impact the Ministry of Health’s aim to rely only on voluntary donors. For this reason, the Donor Manager divulged that the NBTS was forced to resort to commencing a ‘Call Back’ programme whereby former voluntary regular donors would be requested to give blood once they are healthy enough to do so.
Additionally, efforts are continually being directed at encouraging individuals and organisations to organise blood drives to boost the NBTS’s supply.

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