Islandwide programs to mark World Blood Donors' Day

by Carol Aloysius

The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) with the Health Ministry and World Health Organisation launched several programs on Wednesday starting with an islandwide collection of signatures of blood donors, mobile organisers and well-wishers.

The number of signatures may set a new record for the NBTS, National Blood Transfusion Services spokesperson, Dr Neetha Manthriratne told the Sunday Observer.

"Four vehicle parades from different parts of the country reached Colombo on Wednesday. They were from Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Hambantota and passed many blood banks collecting signatures of blood donors, mobile organisers and others", she said. From the inception of the World Blood Donors' Day in 2004, it has been the WHO practice to select a country to host the Global Event of World Blood Donors' Day, through a competitive bidding process. "The WHO has selected Sri Lanka this year, based on the quality and achievements of the blood transfusion service. This is the first time that an Asian country has been selected to host this prestigious event, to raise awareness on the need for safe blood and appreciate the services of voluntary non-remunerated blood donors".

A mass blood donation campaign where over 2,000 voluntary donors are expected to donate blood will be held on June 12 at the BMICH.

The other events on World Blood Donors' Day (June 14) include the felicitation of over 1,000 voluntary blood donors and mobile organisers; issue of a commemorative stamp; handing over the commemorative flag of the World Blood Donor Day 2015 to the next host country and a poster exhibition by schoolchildren followed by the presentation of awards to winners.