Mark Beckford, Gleaner Writer
Dr. Lundie Richards (left) director, National Blood Transfusion Service in discussion with Dr. Jacqueline Gernay, health system development advisor at PAHO, yesterday. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
"CELEBRATING THE Gift of Blood" was the theme for the day as several persons, educational institutions and corporate groups were honoured at the World Blood Donor Day awards ceremony at the Ministry of Health offices on King Street, downtown Kingston, yesterday.
The awards were a part of a list of activities put on by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the National Blood Transfusion Service to celebrate World Blood Donor Day.
Health Minister Horace Dalley praised those who were involved in putting on the event and implored the public to give blood to supplement the shortfall in the reserves across the island.
"The Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) alone has a need of about 25,000 units annually, and we are only receiving through voluntary contribution 23,500 units for the entire country," Mr. Dalley said.
PUBLIC ENCOURAGED
He encouraged the public to come out and give blood and promised that the collection centre at the National Chest Hospital will be reopened to aid in the blood drive.
Dr. Lundie Richards, director of the Blood Bank, while praising those who were selfless in donating blood, made a fresh plea to the public to support the ongoing blood drive. He said the Blood Bank was still facing challenges in the amount of blood collected for the year.
"The reserves are extremely low. In fact, since January we have collected somewhere in the region of 11,000 units of blood. At this time, according to what we have wanted we should have collected over 12,000 units, so we are off about 1,500 units."
Mr. Dalley said he hoped World Blood Donor Day would continue to increase awareness of the need for blood in the country so that the Blood Bank targets for units would be achieved by the end of the year.
At the ceremony, more than 30 organisations, schools and individuals were awarded for their contribution to blood donation and the Blood Bank.
