Africa-Press – Mauritius. A one day workshop opened, this morning at the Caudan Arts Centre in Port Louis, in the context of the World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) 2022 observed on 14 June each year. The World Health Organization (WHO) Representative a.i WHO Country Office, Dr Indrajit Hazarika, the Director of General Health Services of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr Bhoshan Ori, and other personalities were present at the ceremony.
In his address, Dr Hazarika highlighted that the WBDD was established with the objective to raise global awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products for transfusion; highlight the critical contribution that voluntary unpaid blood donors make to national health systems; and support National Blood Transfusion Services, Blood Donor organisations as well as other NGOs in strengthening and expanding their voluntary Blood Donor Programmes by reinforcing national and local campaigns.
Furthermore, he indicated that an effective Blood Donor Programme, characterised by wide and active participation of the population, is crucial in meeting the need of blood transfusion during peace time as well as during emergencies or disasters.
On this score, Dr Hazarika stressed that an enabling social and cultural atmosphere with strong solidarity to facilitate the development of an effective Blood Donor Programme is required.
Speaking of blood donation in Mauritius, the WHO Representative underlined that as a consequence of COVID-19 pandemic, a drop from 91% to 74% as regards voluntary blood donations in 2020 was observed, which improved again post COVID-19 to exceed 80%.
On this note, he commended the effort of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the National Blood Transfusion Services, the Mauritius Blood Donor Association as well as voluntary blood donors, for their resilience through this pandemic and for their success in bringing Mauritius back on the path towards achieving the targets and aspirations of the National Blood Policy.
Mr Hazarika also appealed to National Health Authorities to provide adequate resources in order to increase the collection of blood from voluntary, unpaid blood donors as well as to manage safe access to blood and the transfusion of those who need it.
For his part, Dr Ori, who intervened on behalf of the Health Minister, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, highlighted that blood and blood products remain essential to ensure efficient health care delivery.
He added that it is therefore imperative to sensitise and educate the population on the importance of maintaining the availability of blood and blood products in our Blood Banks.
Furthermore, he appealed to the concerted efforts of all concerned organisations to promote blood donation on a regular basis so as to address the challenges faced in terms of securing sufficient amounts of blood for our population.
The Director also dwelt on some measures taken by the Health Ministry to improve the situation as regards voluntary blood donation including the procurement of two new and modern blood collection buses.
As regards the workshop, Dr Ori underscored that it will be a great opportunity for everyone to reflect upon this year’s theme “Donating Blood is an act of solidarity, join the effort and save lives” where blood donation is showcased as an act of solidarity.
He invited the participants to think of innovative ways and devise new strategies to recruit more voluntary donors as well as to simplify the process of donating blood and promote the advantages attached to giving blood, both to the donor and to the lives that are saved through this gesture.
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