The National Blood Trans-fusion Service (NBTS) yesterday said that it is in dire need of blood to satisfy the ever growing demand.
In a statement it said at this time of the year, the demand is high and the blood bank is short of all types, but particularly O Negative and O Positive.
The statement said that the goal of the NBTS is for all the blood supplied here to be collected from voluntary, healthy donors.
“The unit of blood you donate is screened and delivered through a network of Blood Banks countrywide and used as needed. Every day, pregnant women, children, youths, adults and the elderly need blood in both our public and private hospitals”, the statement added.
Persons 17 years or older, in generally good health, free from any blood-borne disease and weighing at least 110 pounds can become a Voluntary Blood Donor, the statement said.
It said that the donation process is very simple and requires the following steps:
– Registration of donor
– Mini health checks comprising of: your body weight, pulse, blood pressure, temperature and HB (Iron) level. The donor’s blood type will also be identified at this stage.
– A brief interview to determine if your sexual lifestyle and medical history permits you to donate blood. This session is very private and confidential.
– The actual blood donation stage where a unit (less than a pint) of blood will be taken.
– Refreshment
The statement said that the entire blood donation process takes 20 minutes. A person, who fits the criteria, can donate blood every two months. The statement noted that blood donation allows the body to produce new red blood cells which carries oxygen around the body. Once these new cells are replicated, it allows the individual to feel rejuvenated and healthier. Blood cannot be stored for long periods. One unit can be processed into three component parts each of which has the potential of saving a life.
“We appeal to all our voluntary donors and new donors to visit the NBTS, our blood donation facilities at New Amsterdam, West Demerara, Suddie and Linden hospitals or one of our mobile units and “give a pint!”, the statement urged.
The NBTS will be open from 08:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs from Monday to Friday and on Saturdays from 9:00hrs- 15:00hrs.
For further information persons can call NBTS on telephone numbers 223 7182, 225 4972, 669 8776 or 644 9590.
