Youth becomes the main focus in ensuring continuous blood supply in the country, and is urged to pioneer activities as well as initiatives to achieve safe blood supply through voluntary blood donation. This is because youth makes up a large sector of the population and they are full of idealism, passion and creativity. The Minister of Health made the call in a message in conjunction with World Blood Donor Day celebrated every 14th of June throughout the world. Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Md Isham bin Haji Jaafar in his message said to ensure that the blood given to patients is safe, the Blood Donation Centre continues to actively plan and organise a number of systematic measures to reduce the risk of infection through blood transfusions.
Among the measures taken to build a strong foundation to ensure safe and quality blood to meet the needs of the patients who require blood transfusion include plans to implement a nucleic acid test to detect types of nucleic acid specifically for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C; and strengthen safe blood donation based on the accredited and latest Blood Donation Guide Book. The Minister of Health in the message also advised blood donors and members of the public who wish to donate blood to be more vigilant in taking care of their health either in terms of communicable or non-communicable diseases.
The Minister of Health further stated that blood and blood product transfusion can save millions of lives throughout the world each year. Among patients who often require immediate blood transfusion are emergency patients and anemic children. The World Blood Donor Day is celebrated to raise the public’s awareness on the need and importance of continuous blood donation to ensure sufficient blood and blood product supplies that are safe and of quality for patients in need.
This year’s theme ‘Safe Blood Saves Lives’ and the ‘Give Blood and Keep the World Beating’ slogan highlight the importance of blood donation as it can save lives and improve people’s health. The special focus for this year’s celebration is the role of youth to ensure safe blood supply.
Source: Radio Television Brunei