Call for modern blood transfusion centres

Health experts on 'World Blood Donor Day' have highlighted the benefits of blood donation for both the donors and recipients, stressing media to raise awareness about the importance of blood transfusions.

They also urged the authorities to speed up the process of establishing modern Blood Transfusion centres across the country.

Renowned Haematologist and Consultant transplant physician Dr Saqib Hussain Ansari said every year, countries around the world, including Pakistan, celebrate World Blood Donor Day on June 14 to highlight the need for safe blood and blood transfusion products.

He regretted that there were many myths surrounding blood donation that often make people wary of donating, adding he said blood donation was a healthy process and a healthy person must donate, which was beneficial for both donor and the recipient.

Talking about health benefits associated with donating blood, he explained that if an individual makes a habit of donating blood every 120 days, it can improve their health. "It is a huge misconception that giving blood will make you weak or lead to other medical complications," he added. He further said that 'Thalassemia' is an inherited blood disorder in which the affected children are unable to maintain haemoglobin (HB) at a normal range, and their bone marrow cannot form sufficient red blood cells, which is critical to their survival.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 15^th, 2022.