Donate blood, save lives

THERE are many stories of deaths due to the unavailability of blood ricocheted throughout the country.
We are experiencing a blood shortage and we need more people to donate now more than ever.
Blood cannot be manufactured or produced in a factory, the only source of blood for transfusion is from donors.
Blood transfusions takes place all over the world to save lives.
Blood is collected through voluntary donors who have acted as a foundation for safe blood supply.
However, here in PNG, most people have not embraced the culture of voluntary blood donation.
Some people have the tendency of waiting 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 at the Port Moresby General Hospital is always in need of blood.
The unavailability of blood has led to deaths and many people suffering from ill-health.
An adequate and reliable supply of safe blood can be assured by a stable base of regular, voluntary and unpaid blood donors.
Blood transfusions saves lives and improve health, but many patients requiring transfusion do not have timely access to safe blood.
Blood donation is a therapeutic exercise.
It is scarce.
Globally, approximately 80 million units of blood are donated each year.
One of the biggest challenges to blood safety is accessing safe and adequate quantities of blood and blood products. Safe supply of blood and blood components is essential to enable a wide range of critical care procedures to be carried out in hospitals.
Good knowledge about blood donation practices is not transforming in donating blood.
Interactive awareness on blood donation should be organised to create awareness 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 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 the concern about HIV/AIDS-tainted blood, along with the usual reasons of not enough time, fear of needles and a host of other rationales.
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 had someone you love in need of 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 also has an essential life-saving role in maternal and child care.
It helps 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 by voluntary, unpaid blood donors.
However, in many countries, blood services face the challenge of making sufficient blood available while also ensuring its quality and safety.
Let us make a difference now and donate blood if you are eligible.