Red Cross Solomon Islands has marked the world blood donor day this week.
The event was held at the Rock Haven Inn conference room.
The event is usually celebrated every June 14 but due to work and the recent disaster, the celebration was deferred.
Dr Audrey Aumua, officer in-charge of the World Health Organisation (WHO) representative office in the country said that the focus for this year’s blood donor day was “Safe Blood for saving mothers.
“This campaign will increase awareness about why timely access to safe blood and blood products is essential for all countries as part of a comprehensive approach to prevent maternal deaths.
“Every day, about 800 women die from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications.
“Almost all of these deaths occur in developing countries, such as Solomon Islands.
“Severe bleeding during delivery and after childbirth is a major cause of mortality, morbidity and long-term disability.
“However, access to safe and sufficient blood and blood products and the rational and safe use of blood transfusion still remain major challenges in many countries around the world.
“WHO thanks the voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood,” she said.
The objectives of this year’s global campaign are;
- Ministries of health, particularly in countries with high rates of maternal mortality, to take concrete steps towards ensuring that health facilities in their countries improve access to safe blood and blood products from volunteer donors for women giving birth.
- National blood services in countries with high rates of maternal mortality to focus on safe blood for mothers in their activities and products for the 2014 campaign.
- Maternal health programmes and partnerships engage in the 2014 campaign.
WHO and partners throughout the world highlight how safe blood from voluntary donors can save women’s lives everywhere.
Blood donor recruitment officer Deanne Seppy said that the celebration is held annually and it focuses on those who donated blood to safe others live.
She said that saving ones live is important.
“We acknowledge those who give themselves voluntarily to donate blood to save lives.
“We encourage people or youths to come and give blood to save mothers,” she said.
Secretary General of Red Cross in SI Joanne Zoleveke said that they will continue to work closely and support ministry of health in terms of blood donation to save lives.
“We try our best fighting to reduce the mortality rate and we’ll look forward to extend our voluntary work out in the provinces,” she said.
She said that Red Cross will continue to work closely with MHMS.
Permanent Secretary MHMS Dr Lester Ross thanked faithful blood donors and companies/ business houses for donating blood freely to NRH blood bank.
By STEPHEN DIISANGO
