THERE IS a continuous and urgent need for blood in the National Referral Hospital.
It was reported that people are dying due to low blood supply at the NRH when it comes to major operations, treatments or mothers giving birth.
The Director for Medical Laboratory, Mr Alfred Dofai, stressed it is important citizens of Solomon Islands donate blood to blood bank locations in the country.
As the patients of NRH urgently need blood for their treatments, Mr Dofai urges donors to voluntarily donate blood.
He said voluntarily giving blood will help save lives and contribute to a safe blood supply which would also help the country’s time and money.
Those that will benefit are patients, blood donors and the whole community as there will be a free medical check, referral, information, support and advices, Mr Dofai adds.
With that the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and Solomon Islands Red Cross (SIRC) has introduced a new simple step for donating blood.
Mr Dofai said there are five steps which are very simple for 18-years above and below 65-years.
The first step is sleep well and eat breakfast before donating blood, followed by filling out simple questionnaires about blood donation, and thirdly, physical and medical checks to measure blood strength, weight and blood pressure.
By meeting the requirements on step-four, donors are able to donate blood with the help of laboratory technicians who will take 450mL of blood which the body will immediately replace after, Mr Dofai said.
After donating blood, Mr Dofai said it will be thoroughly tested and screened making sure it is safe for patients.
The responsible authorities for this ongoing activity are MHMS and SIRC, following a new strategy to engage schools, workplace, church and community to promote voluntary blood donation and collection from donors.
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