Strengthening safe blood supply to help save lives

Juba – In accordance with this year’s theme marking the World Blood Donor Day accepted on 14 June the South Sudan National Blood Transfusion Products and services (NBTS) performed several activities. With give a enhance to from World Wisely being Group (WHO) and the Red Sinister, NBTS organized a blood donation campaign and pressure to elevate consciousness of the lifestyles-saving role of blood and plasma donation and to abet traditional donation from first-time and lengthy-time duration donors. Moreover, NBTS held a spherical table with leaders from the Ministry of Wisely being, the National Public Wisely being Laboratory, the Red Sinister, and the neighborhood to recommend for additional give a enhance to for sustainable nationwide blood programs and promote values of compassion, neighborhood and cohesion.

The theme for this year is “Give blood, give hope: together we save lives”. It encapsulates the essence of blood donation and highlights the vitality of neighborhood and cohesion in saving lives. Blood and blood merchandise are vital lifestyles-saving medicines, without a replace. One blood donation veritably saves three lives. At the worldwide level, blood is wished to save 14 million lives of mothers fervent by childbirth per annum, while South Sudan wants blood for mothers all the arrangement by arrangement of childbirth, worrying injuries, and babies and children with extreme anaemia, malnutrition, and extreme malaria.

From the blood donation campaign and pressure, 86 objects of blood had been still from 54 lengthy-time duration donors and 32 recent donors that would possibly well save lives of those in need. The campaign also featured an consciousness and advocacy component, with the participation of a range of stakeholders, together with excessive-level authorities officials.”

Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative to South Sudan commended the Ministry of Health’s efforts and reaffirm WHO’s commitment to collaborate with the NBTS and partners to improve the provision of essential healthcare services, including blood transfusion services. 
“WHO has been working closely with the Ministry of Health, specifically the NBTS to streamline and promote blood transfusion services” Said Dr Karamagi “Going forward, WHO will support NBTS in reviewing and updating the strategic plan and implementation guidelines, enhancing their capacity to provide blood transfusion services, and increase availability of blood products through the Health Sector Transformation (HSTP) Project”  

“This partnership shows that when we work together, we can overcome critical gaps in ensuring there is a safe and adequate blood supply. The blood collected will directly save lives in our health facilities,” said Dr. Angelo Aruop Akeen, Director of the National Blood Transfusion Services.

WHO staff who volunteered to donate described the experience as meaningful and fulfilling.
“Knowing that a small act like this can make a difference in someone’s survival is deeply motivating,” said Dr Bayo Pontius, Reproductive, Maternal and Neonatal Health Officer, one of the WHO staff who participated in the drive. “This is a powerful reminder that each of us can contribute to saving lives.”

Every drop counts! “A blood donation can save a mother, a baby, a future.”