Solomon Islands Red Cross (SIRC) has launched a public appeal for voluntary blood donation.
This comes amidst acute shortage of blood at the National Referral Hospital’s blood bank.
In a statement reaching the Solomon Star yesterday it was revealed, the Blood Bank at the National Referral Hospital has experienced a huge shortage in blood supply availability and has called on the Red Cross to speed up the recruitment of volunteer blood donors to donate blood.
The Solomon Islands Red Cross Society Blood Coordinator Roy Oeta in the statement said, that the urgency of an immediate response by the good citizens within Honiara to respond to the genuine call for blood donations is very important.
“The need for blood at the National Referral Hospital’s blood bank at this moment is very critical. Because of the urgency for the availability of blood in a reliable supply, the National Referral Hospital through the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donor Program, is making a kind call to the public for their good heart in coming forward to assist in donating blood”, Mr. Oeta said.
He also added that the shortage is more critical for the “O” blood type. “Right now, the blood shortage is more critical for those with O type.
“Hence, we are asking for those who may have the O blood type out there for their volunteer assistance in donating blood”, he said.
Similarly, the Volunteer Non-Remunerated Blood Donor Program Coordinator further indicated that blood availability at the main Hospital is an issue that is worth addressing, as it is one that affects patients undergoing surgery at the National Referral Hospital theater and those who may need immediate blood transfusion in emergencies.
Meanwhile, Solomon Islands is among many countries that are encouraging volunteer non-remunerated blood donations.
Mr Oeta said that this means individuals, organisations and groups who participated in donating blood do so on voluntarily basis and with no pressure for payment with any monetary value at all.
Other forms of blood donations have shown to have the likelihood of increasing the chances of infection.
The Solomon Islands Red Cross Society as a voluntary humanitarian organisation auxiliary to the government authorities has been running the Volunteer Non-Remunerated Blood Donor Program assisting the Ministry of Health and Medical Services since the 1980s.
By LESLEY SANGA
