MCMH making it easier for persons to donate blood

While the blood bank at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital collects about 1,200 units of blood and blood components a year, they get requests for over 7,000 units in that same period.

“If we were to honour all of those requests, you see what trouble we would be in. So, that’s why we need to make sure our stock is constant and our stock is constantly replenished,” said medical technologist at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital Kamarla Questelles, during the launch of a mobile blood unit on Wednesday, June 14, as part of World Blood Donor Day.

Questelles urged the public to become regular voluntary blood donors.

This year’s activities are being celebrated under the theme: “Don’t wait until disaster strikes – What can you do? – Give blood, Give now, Give often.”

Questelles said one of the main roles of the mobile blood unit would be to increase their pool of voluntary donors and increase the pool of safe blood.

“Our mandate is to strive for 100 per cent voluntary blood donations, which has been proven to be the most effective and safest blood supply you can get.

“We are hoping that we don’t have to make these appeals anymore. With the mobile, we will be able to approach the public. Our plans are to make stops at the Windward side, the Leeward side, town and in the Grenadines, as far as Bequia. With the mobile, we are hoping that persons would just see the need to find within themselves to come and donate some blood, knowing that the life you save can be your own,” Questelles stated.

She explained that one unit of blood can save the lives of three persons.

Pan American Health Organization programme specialist Aneke Wilson said that all blood types are welcome, especially the rare O negative blood type.

She said that PAHO and the World Health Organization continue to provide guidance for countries to ensure a safe and sufficient supply.

“Please be reminded that the success of this blood bank is dependent on all of us to donate blood, which helps in turn to maintain the hospital blood bank reserves,” she said.

Minister of Health Luke Browne said the mobile bank was purchased at an estimated cost of XCD$500,000, with the equipment to outfit the mobile unit procured through a Japanese project.

“We need one to go into the highways and the byways with this very important piece of equipment.”

He said that he hopes a result of the heightened activities put on by the lab and hospital would bring more voluntary donations from the population of St Vincent and the Grenadines.