On Tuesday, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony officially commissioned the first Blood Bank in Region Three at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.
This new $30m investment which is expected to be fully equipped and functioning in one month, will reduce the hassle faced by the Region to acquire blood and blood products to treat patients, a release from the ministry said.
The facility will also reduce the strain on the blood bank located in Region Four.
Anthony that since Region Three will be doing its own blood screening and pathogen testing of prospective donors, health officials will be able to detect cases of infections such as Hepatitis C in the Region and therefore treat and cure these persons.
Also attending the opening ceremony were, Regional Health Officer Dr. Erica Forte, Director of the National Blood Transfusion Service, Dr. Pedro Lewis and Regional Executive Officer, Jagnarine Somwar.
