Minister of Health Dr Bheri Ramsaran is appealing for more blood donors as the nation prepares to observe World Blood Donor Day tomorrow, particularly since supplies have diminished as it had been used to treat several maternity cases.
“Many of our patients, our maternal deaths occur as a result of haemorrhage. Blood is needed for maternity cases because is a lot of haemorrhage that occurs during child birth, especially in the complicated or high risk cases,” Ramsaran said. He also noted that “Blood… is a product that has to be had from the public… we want to upscale or push that call.”
At the same time, Ramsarans commended the Cornelia Ida and Cove and John ashrams and Marian Academy for organising exemplary blood drives. Ramsaran also gave special kudos to Marian Academy’s efforts as teachers, parents and students voluntarily give significant amounts of blood to the blood bank. He said one unit of blood has the potential to save three lives depending on the individual case and as a result he encourages the public to become blood donors.
The minister also said some administrative changes have been made at the blood bank to ensure that the process runs efficiently. The co-ordinator, who is on a joint CDC and health ministry, will now be stationed at the blood bank to interact directly with officials and donors there.
