BLOOD donations this year has increased by 20 percent compared to the previous years.
That’s according the Director of the Medical Laboratory at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) Alfred Dofai.
“The projection this year looks bright with the first quarter registering 1,170 total blood donations which could mean we should achieve 4,680 donors at the end of this year, an increase of 20 percent from the previous year (3,700 donors),” Mr Dofai said.
He added that whilst this is so, people must not forget that the population is rising and the demand for blood has increased dramatically.
Mr Dofai said that according to World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, we should at minimum address one percent of the total population which is 5,500 donations.
“This indicates a deficiency of 820 units just to address the minimum need.
“We encourage voluntary blood donation rather than family replacement donation.
“Only 10 percent of donors are voluntary whilst 90 percent are family replacement.”
Mr Dofai said that this means families are obliged to save their loved ones thus reflecting we do not voluntarily have the heart to save our fellow countrymen and women.
“I want to call on everyone to donate blood voluntary.”
The theme of the World Blood Donor day yesterday was Be there for someone else; give blood share life.
By LESLEY SANGA
