World Blood Donor Day

Blood donation is a life saving gift, however not many of us have ever given blood. Yes, we have all heard the appeals for us to give blood but it is not until a family member or friend requires this life saving donation that we realize how important it is for us to donate to the blood bank.  Over the years the Ministry of Health and Wellness has been encouraging and continues to encourage Jamaicans to donate blood. In recent times we have seen an increase in celebrities having blood drives in order to persuade Jamaicans to donate and increase the supply of blood in the bank. There are many reasons why someone may require blood; this range from being in an accident or for surgery. On 14 June 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) and all countries will celebrate World Blood Donor Day.  The need for safe blood is universal. Safe blood is critical both for treatments and urgent interventions.  Blood donation can help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions live longer and with a higher quality of life and supports complex medical and surgical procedures. Blood is also vital for treating the wounded during emergencies of all kinds (natural disasters, accidents, armed conflicts, etc.) and has an essential, life-saving role in maternal and neonatal care. But access to safe blood is still a privilege of the few. According to the WHO, most low- and middle-income countries struggle to make safe blood available because donations are low and equipment to test blood is scarce. Globally, 42% of blood is collected in high-income countries, which are home to only 16% of the world’s population. An adequate supply of safe blood can only be assured through regular donations by voluntary unpaid blood donors. This is why the World Health Assembly in 2005 designated a special day to thank blood donors and encourage more people to give blood freely. World Blood Donor Day takes place every year on 14 June. As well as thanking blood donors, it is a day to raise awareness about the global need for safe blood and how everyone can contribute. Blood donations are needed all over the world to ensure individuals and communities have access to safe and quality-assured blood and blood products in both normal and emergency situations. The campaign theme for this year’s World Blood Donor Day is “Safe blood saves lives” with the slogan “Give blood and make the world a healthier place”. The idea is to focus on the contribution an individual giver can make to improve health for others in the community. Blood donations are needed all over the world to ensure individuals and communities have access to safe and quality-assured blood and blood products in both normal and emergency situations. Through the campaign, we call on more people all over the world to become life-savers by volunteering to donate blood regularly. The day and the theme are also a call to action for governments, national health authorities and national blood transfusion services to provide adequate resources and put in place systems and infrastructures to increase the collection of blood from voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors; to provide quality donor care; to promote and implement appropriate clinical use of blood; and to set up systems for the oversight and surveillance on the whole chain of blood transfusion. Blood donations are especially vital for patients with blood disorders. In a newspaper interview, Dr. Tucker of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) stated that platelets which are made from blood are needed by the body to help with clotting of the blood if there is bleeding. Platelets are usually affected in the patients who are diagnosed with a severe dengue infection,” explains Dr Alisha Tucker. “If someone has a low platelet count because of a severe dengue infection, they will need platelets in order to help to prevent bleeding or to help stop bleeding if they are now having symptoms from the low platelet count,” she added. The amount of platelets needed depends on the size of the person. “In an average day, in any one of the blood collection centres in Jamaica, an average of 5-10 donors will present and this is not enough to meet the increased demand,” Tucker said. From the beginning of 2018 to present, a total of 6,525 suspected cases of dengue have been reported from across Jamaica, 1,057 for 2018 and 5,468 for 2019. However the demand for blood does not end with dengue. In addition to trauma, the Bustamante Hospital for Children, for example, has great demands for blood and blood products for the children who need corrective heart, brain and spine surgeries, as well as children who have been diagnosed with blood diseases and cancers. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO), based on Jamaica’s population, the target number of blood units should be 50,000. The NBTS is working towards the collection of a total of 35,000 units by year end. “Our target is to reach 35,000 out of the expected amount by the end of 2019. We were at a total of 24,000 at the end of August,” Tucker noted. It is possible to reach the target, but only if more Jamaicans give blood. To do so, Jamaicans can visit the blood bank at 21 Slipe Pen Road in Kingston or any of the nine other collection centres across the island at major public hospitals. Is there a need for more of us to donate blood? Yes, on this World Blood Donor Day it is our duty to donate blood in order to save a life. Locate the nearest blood collection site and be generous. Become a donor; the life you save might be our own. Every blood donor is a life saver.

Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.

waykam@yahoo.com

@WayneCamo

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