Donate blood, save lives

THE demand for blood at hospitals is increasing.
Many people have died because blood needed medically for their survival was there.
Last week, Port Moresby General Hospital blood bank team leader said the bank needed about 350 bags of blood on average in a week to treat referral cases and distribute to patients in other hospitals.
Blood cannot be manufactured or produced in a factory; the only source transfusion is from donors.
Blood transfusions take place all over the world to save lives.
Blood is collected from donors who have acted as a foundation for safe blood supplies.
However, here in Papua New Guinea, most people have not embraced the culture of blood donation.
Some people like to wait for their relatives or a person they know to need blood before they donate.
There is a shortage to active blood donors to meet the need of increased blood demand.
The blood bank unit at the Port Moresby General Hospital is in desperate need of blood.
The unavailability of blood has led to deaths and ill health.
An adequate and reliable supply of safe blood can be assured by regular blood donation.
Blood transfusion saves lives and improves health, but many patients requiring transfusion do not have timely access to safe blood.
Blood donation is a therapeutic exercise.
It is a major concern to society as donated blood is lifesaving for individuals who need it.
Blood is scarce.
Globally, approximately 80 million units of blood are donated each year. One of the biggest challenges to blood safety, particularly, is accessing safe and adequate quantities of blood and blood products.
The safe supply of blood and blood components is essential to enable a wide range of critical care procedures to be carried out in hospitals.
Awareness exercises should be organised to promote education and opportunities for blood donation.
Many people think that by donating blood, they do not benefit but only other people gain.
Blood donation allows the replenishment of a donor’s supply, which helps their body to function more efficiently.
After donation, the human body replaces the blood volume within 48 hours of donation and all of the red blood cells lost during donation are completely replaced within four to eight weeks.
The replenishment process can help the body stay healthy and work more efficiently and productively.
Two decades ago, the excuse would have been AIDS-tainted blood, along with the usual reasons of not enough time, fear of needles and a host of other things.
Can anyone really claim that they are too busy to give up 45 minutes, one day, and once every three months to take part in a potentially life-saving exercise?
If you or a person you love needed blood, you would certainly want to know that the blood bank had an adequate supply.
The need for blood transfusion may arise at any time in both urban and rural areas.
It has an essential, life-saving role in maternal and child care and during the emergency response to man-made and natural disasters.
A blood service that gives patients access to safe blood and blood products in sufficient quantity is a key component of an effective health system.
An adequate supply can only be ensured through regular donations.
Let us make a difference now and donate blood.