Transfusions: ‘5,670 people donated blood in 2013’

SUKKUR: To save precious lives, up to 5,670 people from Upper Sindh have donated blood at 42 different blood camps so far this year.

Highlighting the importance of the World Blood Donor Day observed on June 14, Sukkur Blood and Drugs Donating Society (SBDDS) president, Dr Mohammad Naeem, said that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared blood as the gift of life.

“Approximately four million safe and screened blood bags are required per year in every Pakistan but unfortunately, only one million are available in the country. The donations can be encouraged by creating awareness that donating blood is healthy.” The donated blood is mostly used in transfusions for supportive care during child delivery and for those suffering from haemoglobin deficiencies.

Many people in Pakistan contract different diseases from transfusions of unscreened blood. According to statistics, around three to four per cent people in the country are suffering from viral hepatitis.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 16^th, 2013.