Blood donors recognised |31 January 2022
A souvenir photograph after the presentation of certificates (Photo: Louis Toussaint)
Five associations have been recognised for their contribution towards the Blood Transfusion Centre (BTC) from June 2020 to June 2021 during an activity held at the BTC at the Seychelles Hospital in collaboration with the Red Cross Society Seychelles.
Blood drives are important events during the year to help the BTC achieve its targets.
The organisations that were recognised are Rotary Club with 61 units; Melvin Jones Fellows, Lions International (56 units); National Institute of Health and Social Studies (47 units); Grand Anse Praslin health centre (41 units) and Laxmanbhai (37 units).
The chief technologist clinical laboratory and blood transfusion centre, Joanne Michel, informed the press that “what we are seeing is that people are very reluctant to give blood and we count on various organisations. This activity is long overdue. Every year we have various organisations coming forward to help us stocking our blood bank. During the pandemic, it is becoming more and more difficult to get individuals to come forward to donate blood. We cannot thank each and everyone but with this activity we show our gratitude to all donors. We hope that we can continuously count on the various organisations”.
Ms Michel noted that shortage of blood always exists thus we ask the families to help us in looking for blood and the situation is quite critical. “Since the beginning of the year, there is a shortage as many of our regular donors were either in quarantine. We always invite individuals to come forward to donate blood”.
Red Cross Society of Seychelles sponsored the shields that were given to the organisations and its secretary general Marie-May Esparon shared that they have a long relationship with the Health Care Agency and also has an ongoing programme for blood donation.
“Today is one of the activities that we have supported as we also have a database of regular blood donors. As years go by, we have seen the importance of donating blood and even in moments of crisis, the BTC contacts us for donors. We have a good relationship with the HCA and this year we emphasise on this generous act mainly for rare blood groups,” Ms Esparon said.
The representative of Rotary Club, Dr Sarka Viktorova, thanked the BTC for its kind gesture but also reassured it of the club’s continuous support.
“The BTC was always very helpful and ready to accommodate us even in the evening. It is exceptional and we also express our gratitude to it,” noted Dr Viktorova.
Every year, in June, the world celebrates Blood Donors’ Day and the BTC will organise such an activity to recognise the top five donors.
Vidya Gappy