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THE MINISTRY of Health has appealed that members of the public donate blood as part of a life-saving mission during the state of limited emergency.

However, the ministry has urged persons to avoid the central Blood Bank on Slipe Pen Road because of sporadic violence in that section of Kingston.

Persons wishing to donate blood have been asked to visit other blood-collection centres across the island, including the University Hospital of the West Indies, as well as the National Chest, May Pen, Mandeville, Cornwall Regional, Savanna-la-Mar, Falmouth, St Ann's Bay and Port Antonio hospitals.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Rudyard Spencer has given instructions for the activation of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to respond to, and monitor, the effects of outbreaks of violence on the health sector as well as to coordinate the ministry's intervention.

The objectives of the EOC also include maintaining the operations of the Ministry of Health and securing the safety and welfare of patients and staff.

As part of measures that have been implemented, the Kingston Public, Victoria Jubilee, Bustamante and Spanish Town hospitals have only been offering emergency services. Elective surgeries have been suspended and all outpatient clinics have been suspended until further notice.