The World Blood Donor Day is celebrated annually on 14 June to advocate on the importance of regular blood donation. This year’s campaign has a special theme on blood donation in emergencies with the slogan "What can you do? Give Blood, Give Now, Give Often.” The blood donation drive at the Lao international Trade Exhibition and Convention Center (Lao ITECC) sees large turnout of blood donors from all walks of life.
WHO Representative to Lao PDR, Dr Juliet Fleischl said “Blood transfusion services have steadily improved in recent years from 36,653 units in 2015 to 40,454 units in 2016. This is about 0.6% of WHO recommended one percent of the population. Blood donation of 1% of the population can meet a nation’s most basic requirements for blood.”
Large turnout from all sectors
WHO Representative to Lao PDR, Dr Juliet Fleischl was given a tour by the President of Lao Red Cross, Dr. Khamhoung Heaungvongsy (first from left)
Blood donors from the police force, military, government staff and students have come to give blood on World Blood Donor Day
Blood donors are from the private sectors, from all age groups and all walks of life
WHO staff Ms Keoviphakone and Ms Bounphakhom were among the blood donors this year
Ms Bounphakhom was getting her blood pressure checked by the health staff
Ms Keoviphakone show us the blood collection bag while waiting
We see a large turnout of blood donor this year, and more than 500 units of blood were collected within the first two hours. The Government, Ministry of Health, Lao Red Cross and partners are advocating for a movement towards 100% voluntary unpaid blood donation.
Behind the scenes
Medical doctor and nurses were supervising the blood collection activities
Youth student volunteers guided blood donors and handed out food and drinks
Health staff marking the bags of blood collected and putting it in proper storage
Delivery
staff is moving the boxes of collected blood to the National Blood Transfusion Centre
In Laos, the Lao Red Cross and National Blood Transfusion Centre is responsible for providing safe, adequate and timely blood supplies to the health system. They have integrated their services with the health system to ensure safe, available and good quality blood and blood products for hospital patients.
Everyone who is healthy and fit and weigh above 45 kilograms, aged 17 to 60 should participate to give 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.