Latest update March 31st, 2025 5:30 PM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Blood Bank out of Blood!

Aug 07, 2011 News

-Health Minister urges more people to start donating

The country’s blood bank has now run out of supplies and the authorities are making a desperate call for the public to donate the life saving liquid.
Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, told this newspaper  yesterday, the blood bank had zero units of blood since it had distributed its last set of blood on the previous day (Friday) to various hospitals.
He explained that there is a requirement of at least 600 to 800 units of blood which is necessary to facilitate supplies to patients on a monthly basis.
This demand is anticipated to increase to an average of 1,000 to 1,200 units by the end of this year and is expected to rise to 1,500 units by 2012.
Kaieteur News understands that though the GPHC was not in a position to share blood with other hospitals yesterday, it had enough only to facilitate its patients. Other hospitals were said to have a few units remaining in their possession.
Minister Ramsammy stated that due to the increase in capacity of the health sector, the blood bank has now exceeded its ability to collect blood.
This is due to the fact that 10 years ago there were 2,500 units of blood collected per year in comparison to 8,000 units presently.

Also while there were 2,000 surgeries conducted annually almost 10 years ago, there is an average of 10,000 surgeries being conducted on a yearly basis for the past few years.
Doctors are now utilizing more blood, with the number of surgeries per year expected to rise to 15,000 by the end of 2012, hence increasing surgical capacities.
“We are keeping people alive longer for various illnesses which include heart diseases and cancer, so there will be an increase in the demand for blood because more blood will be used since we are treating them from earlier stages”, said Minister Ramsammy.
Kaieteur News was further told that in cases of emergencies, the GPHC will have to prioritize its patients, from those who require blood immediately to those who can wait a day or two.
“In spite of more blood being collected there is also more that is used. There are increased surgeries, doctors becoming more aggressive in treatment, cases where doctors never prescribed blood before and are now making requests. There is better storage than ever with no wastage. All this shortage means is that more patients are receiving blood earlier and we will need to get more people to donate,” added the Health Minister.
The public is being urged by the Health Ministry to “save a life, come out to the blood bank and donate today”.
The blood bank will be open from 09:00 hrs (09:00am) to 16:00hrs (04:00pm) today.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 28th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Fantastic Wharton snipes haul-trick in 11-0 win

Fantastic Wharton snipes haul-trick in 11-0 win

Mar 31, 2025

-as Santa Rosa finish atop of Group ‘B’ Kaieteur Sports- Five thrilling matches concluded the third-round stage of the 2025 Milo/Massy Boys’ Under-18 Football Tournament yesterday at the...
Read More
Back Circle bests Gold is Money to retain crown

Back Circle bests Gold is Money to retain crown

Mar 31, 2025

DCC continues winning ways thanks to Imlach masterclass

DCC continues winning ways thanks to Imlach...

Mar 31, 2025

All-round Headquarters retain title in dominant fashion

All-round Headquarters retain title in dominant...

Mar 31, 2025

Yarrowkabra smashes four in Tutorial, as Dolphin, Waramuri Sec’ remain unbeaten

Yarrowkabra smashes four in Tutorial, as Dolphin,...

Mar 30, 2025

Ramesh Chattergoon smacks 110* in ESCL T20, Over-40

Ramesh Chattergoon smacks 110* in ESCL T20,...

Mar 30, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]