THAG assists in NBTS blood drive

– National Blood Transfusion Services in dire need of blood

– Public appeal made by NBTS

DPI, Guyana, Sunday, January 20, 2019

The National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS) made a public appeal for blood donors countrywide, since the blood bank is in dire need of units to meet the ever-growing demand for blood.

Responding to their call, the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), on Saturday held its first blood drive at the Roraima Duke Lodge, Kingston Georgetown. President of THAG, Mitra Ramkumar said it is important that Guyanese understand the importance of adequate blood in storage. He added that the voluntary approach aims to ensure lives are saved in the surgical room.

Ramkumar reiterated that the Tourism Industry has a part to play in ensuring that persons are healthy since the business is solely driven by humans.

“We need a healthy nation, mothers and babies must be safe,” Ramkumar said.

Blood collected from healthy donors, during the outreaches, is donated to the NBTS which then screens and delivers it through a network of Blood Banks countrywide to ensure its availability in cases of emergency.

The donation process involves the taking of a simple but essential medical examination, with a brief interview by a volunteer worker, before the blood is taken.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 85 million blood donations are given from all types of blood donors every year and every citizen is urged to donate blood as it’s the main source to save a life.

Ayana George

Images: Leon Leung

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