Latest update January 18th, 2025 7:00 AM
NBTS appeals for more blood donors
–set to host drive today at Kaieteur News
–public encouraged to support
NBTS is on a firm blood donation recruitment course
With 100 per cent voluntary blood donation being the ideal target, the Ministry of Health’s National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) is on a firm blood donation recruitment course intended to ensure that it retains an adequate supply of blood.
Speaking to this publication yesterday, National Blood Donor Organiser, Radhamonie Das, said that an individual opting to donate one unit of his or her blood could in fact help to save the lives of at least three other persons. And it has mainly been such voluntary practices that have been sustaining the work of the Health Ministry’s Blood Bank.
Moreover, Das has disclosed that the NBTS is continuously embracing its blood recruitment task to recruit voluntary donors whose blood and blood components can be given to persons in both public and private hospitals nationwide. And according to her, “in order to maintain a readily available supply of blood and blood components the NBTS needs you.”
She noted that any person who fits the criteria of blood donation can donate blood every two months. Among those eligible to donate blood voluntarily are persons between the ages of 17 and 65. But according to Das, persons under the age of 17 who meet the requirements for blood donation can do so with parental consent. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds, she noted.
And the benefits of blood donation, according to Das, cannot be understated. “Blood donation allows the body to produce new red blood cells which carry oxygen around the body. Once these new cells are replenished it allows the individual to feel more rejuvenated and healthier,” Das noted.
Additional benefits of blood donation include the fact that donors are always aware of their health status as every unit collected is tested for various diseases and a mini health check is done to determine the person’s eligibility. But according to Das, “persons should not donate blood just to have a free test since this can endanger the lives of many patients…The NBTS encourages all potential persons to donate blood so as to save the lives of those in need.”
Nevertheless, Das informed that each unit of blood is thoroughly tested before transfusion is allowed.
She disclosed too that the Blood Bank is capable of ensuring that each unit donated can be separated into three different components that can be used to treat different persons with different medical conditions.
“At any point in time a person may need blood; this person can be a relative, friend, parent or even you…Let us all play our part in ensuring the blood bank meets the great medical demands of the country,” urged Das.
Her remarks were forthcoming even as she spearheaded plans to host a blood drive today at this publication’s 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, office. The blood drive which will commence today at 10:00 hours will be opened to members of the public who are willing to donate.
And according to Das, the Blood Bank is always in need of all types of blood, especially O positive (O+). She noted too that there is no danger in donating blood, pointing out that all blood bags and needles used in the process are always sterile.
The blood donation process, she insisted, is facilitated only by “friendly and professional staffers.”
Other organisations including churches, businesses or even schools, wishing to support the NBTS’s efforts to ensure it has adequate amounts of blood in stock could contact Das at the East and Lamaha Streets, Georgetown facility on telephone numbers: 226-9022 or 223-7182. “Blood drives can be hosted at flexible hours and on flexible days; any hour of the day, holidays and weekends,” she informed.
The NBTS is opened from 08:00 hours (8am) to 18:00 hours (6 pm) Monday through Friday, and 08:30 hours (8:30am) to 15:30 hours (3:30pm) pm on Saturdays.
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