(KPL) The number of blood donation volunteers in Vientiane Capital has been on the rise, with more than 800 people flocked to donate blood this yearat Lao ITECC on June 14 to mark the 13th anniversary of the World Blood Donor’s Day.

The volunteers joining the event were government officials, students, police, soldiers and local people.

“Every year, on 14 June, many countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor’s Day. The event serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood,” said President of the Lao Red Cross Dr KhamhoungHeaungvongsy.

This year’s campaign focuses on blood donation in emergencies with the slogan “What you do? Give Blood, Give now, Give Often”

Many of us know blood donors save lives every day through their blood donations. Any second, there may be a patient depending on a blood transfusion for survival.

“Today, we expect tocollect about 1,000 units,” said Dr Sing Maynolath, Deputy Chairman of the Lao Red Cross.

“The Lao Red Cross National Blood Transfusion Center is responsible for providing safe, adequate and timely blood supplies to the health system,” said Dr Sing.

“We have integrated their services with the health system to ensure safe, available and good quality blood and blood products for hospital patients,” he added

Currently, the shortfall in collection is addressed through directed donation, where family members or friends have to donate blood to replace the blood used by a patient, a common practice used in many countries that do not have an adequate supply of blood.

The Government, the Ministry of Health, the Lao Red Cross and other partners are advocating for a movement towards 100 percent voluntary blood donation. Everyone has to be a part of it, give blood, give now, and giveoften.

 “I would like to encourage everyone: if you are healthy and fit and weigh above 45 kilograms, are aged 17-60, to give blood.  People in good health who have never given blood, particularly young people, should begin to do so.We are currently collecting about 40,500 units, which is 0.6 percent of the WHO recommended one percent of the population.We need to collect about 67,000 units by 2020,” said WHO Representative to Lao PDR, Dr Juliet Fleischl.

“This is my ninth blood donation, which I have done to help patientswaiting for a blood transfusion and I would like to encourage all friends and the public to donate blood,” said MrKhamvongSihapanya, who worksat the 103 hospital.

Blood donation by 1 percent of the population can meet a nation’s most basic requirements for blood.Please visit the website: http://www.laoredcross.org.la/ or Facebook: Lao Red Cross National Blood Transfusion Centre for more information on how you can donate blood. Your blood can save lives.

Source:
courtesy of KPL NEWS AGENCY

by SoukthavyThephavong

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