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Thirteen media houses and two private sector companies,Oregon Ducks Jerseys, R. Bassoo & Sons, and Banks DIH, were yesterday awarded by the National Blood Bank for their efforts in promoting and aiding the Ministry of Health’s Good Samaritan Programme.For 2011 thus far, 80 percent of blood is supplied voluntarily, a significant increase from 21 percent in the year 2000, owing to the Good Samaritan Programme.According to Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, this year’s target is to increase that percentage to 90, which would mean 9,000 units of blood have been voluntarily supplied. The Ministry’s goal is to have 100 percent voluntary blood supply with the collection of 12,000 to 14,000 units of blood.Consequently, the adult population donating blood has to increase as well as the number of times they donate per year. He posited that for any country to meet its ultimate demand for blood, 1.5 to 2 percent of the adult population must be donors, and this is common in the US and Europe.However, less than 1 percent of the adult population in the Caribbean are blood donors and less than half percent adults are voluntary donors. In addition, each donor must donate on average two units of blood twice annually, Dr. Ramsammy stated.More than 15,000 surgeries are done yearly, with 10,Colt McCoy Texas Jersey,000 alone carried out by the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. He emphasized that as services such as open heart surgeries and kidney transplants are executed,Cheap Texas A&M Jerseys, the demand for blood increases.Dr. Ramsammy noted that blood donation is a genuine gift of life and is relevant to this year’s World Blood Donor Day theme “More blood donors, more healthy lives” since people from various background, religion, sex, race, or creed donate blood without knowing the recipients, and the donors remain unknown.According to Dr. Ramsammy, the media has been championing safe blood and providing coverage for blood drives and related events,Rod Wilks Tennessee Jersey, hence their acknowledgment. In addition, Banks DIH for the past five years has been providing Vita Malt,Cheap TCU Horned Frogs Jerseys, a non-alcoholic nutritious beverage,Cheap Purdue Boilermakers Jerseys, to blood donors. Meanwhile, R. Bassoo and Sons voluntarily did some rehabilitative work and painting to the National Blood Bank.Those inputs have supported the Good Samaritan Programme and paved the way for increasing blood donation. This programme has increased the chances of saving lives more than the previous Family Replacement Programme which was referred to as chaotic.Dr. Ramsammy pointed out that in Trinidad a chit system for blood has been implemented. This practice is risky as it would encourage the sale of blood. He explained that persons may supply blood, receive the chit and sell that chit to persons in need of blood.Dr. Nicollet Henry of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that it only takes 45 minutes to give blood and applauded blood donors and the media fraternity for their contribution to the programme.Dr. Beverly Barnett, Representative of PAHO/WHO added that the blood bank plays an important role in keeping blood safe. She indicated that safe blood, more blood, more live,Montee Ball Wisconsin Jersey, is based on lifestyle.It was noted that healthier persons are more likely to donate blood than those who involve in other activities. |
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