Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, yesterday announced the Ministry of Health will be expanding its blood banking services to regional hospitals in all ten administrative regions. i.e., Regions One through Ten
In an DPI release the minister said the ministry’s “intention is that all of our regional hospitals would have capabilities to be able to take blood from donors and also to be able to screen the blood, make sure it’s free from any pathogens and then be able to transfuse that blood if it’s necessary.”
The expansion would augment supply and reliance on a service currently offered only at the Central Blood Bank, Georgetown Public Hospital; the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, Region Six; and the West Demerara Regional Hospital, in Region Three. The increasing number of fixed points would reduce travel time to access and donate a vital resource to saving lives. This notwithstanding, the ministry will continue its mobile units.
Donating blood, if you can, is a good thing. Blood is essential to saving life because it helps persons with chronic illnesses, cancer treatment, traumatic injuries and to survive surgeries. Regular donation by enough healthy people is always needed to ensure supply whenever and wherever needed.
