IT is critical at the National Referral Hospital.
The blood bank has dried up as the Solomon Islands Red Cross pulls out from their blood collection program.
This has forced the office of the Medical Superintendent and the Medical Laboratory Department of the National Referral Hospital to issue and urgent appeal to the public to donate blood to help sick patients in the hospital.
“Blood is very important to ensuring lives are saved. The daily surgical operations on patients depend on blood.
“Women giving birth daily need blood. Other patients and emergencies needs blood,” a spokesperson from the medical laboratory department said.
And as such, the department encourages various organizations in the community to help out.
“We call on every able persons, all churches, youth groups, private firms and companies, government ministries, all non-government organizations and any other groups out there to take that life-saving decision and respond.”
The spokesperson said in the meantime, there is very critical level of blood supply at the hospital.
“In fact, the blood supply is so critically low that it may prove fatal during emergency situations.
“And emergencies occur any time without warning. The hospital entirely depends on good hearted Solomon Islanders to provide blood for all our sick patients.
“We do not import blood from overseas; it comes directly from us, Solomon Islanders.
“As evident from the past, blood always saves lives. Blood is needed every minute and hour in the hospital for surgical operations, mothers giving birth, accidents and emergencies, children and other medical conditions.
“We use blood 24/7, seven days a week and it’s critically low.”
The department said according to calculations, they need at least 20 – 25 blood units on standby every day.
“Right now, we are well below this required level. We need volunteers, because relatives giving blood for certain relatives do not give us the freedom to use the donated blood for anyone.
“So if you or your organization has a very big heart to help the sick and needy, please come forward.
“Remember, sometimes coming forward to give blood at the very moment the emergency happens, may be too late, as it takes time for the blood to be ready for use. Lives are saved when blood is already on standby.”
Attempts to find out why Red Cross pulled out, was unsuccessful but a source revealed there was an internal dilemma.
