DR Earl Wright, acting chief medical officer in the Ministry of Health, yesterday said private sector organisations in addition to donating money, must urge employees to donate blood in order to boost the island's blood collection efforts, which is currently way below international standards.

"We are asking the private sector to not only give money, but make it a part of their corporate responsibility to encourage employees to donate blood," Dr Wright said during a press briefing to announce the newly formed partnership between the NBTS and Stocks & Securities Limited at the Kiwanis Blood Collection Centre at the National Chest Hospital in Kingston.

"The shortage of blood and blood products has for some time been a challenge that the Ministry of Health and Environment faces. The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) has been struggling to meet the national demand. Although the quality of blood and blood products released to the public is extremely good, the quantity is undoubtedly low, with an approximately 30 per cent to 50 per cent of needs being filled."

The World Health Organisation's calculates that Jamaica should be collecting no less than 100,000 units annually. However, the blood bank manages to collect just under a third of the yearly target, 27,000 units.

But Dr Wright said that Jamaica continues to have a strong tradition of replacement donation, where persons are more likely to give blood for a relative or friend in need.

"Of the collected number of units, only 10 per cent is voluntary. The aim to collect 1,000 pints of blood through voluntary donations is an ambitious one and if successful, would increase the present figure of voluntary donations," he said, adding that while replacement donation is "admirable and appreciated", blood collected in this way has proven to be less safe than that which is given voluntarily.

"Public apathy is something that we need to talk about and there are many reasons given by the general public as to why they are reluctant to give blood," he said. "With the necessary sensitisation as to the importance of blood donation and the work of the NBTS, a significant change in attitude and perception of the population can be achieved.

In this regard, he said the NBTS has been taking steps to build public awareness and improve its facilities. By way of this newly formed partnership, the NBTS will receive greater support for its capacity building and public education efforts.
Under the agreement, Stocks & Securities Limited has committed to funding the erection of a billboard, special events and the purchasing of equipment for the Blood Bank.

Meantime, acting director of the National Laboratory Service which has responsibility for the NBTS, Dr Jennifer Thame, said while the quantity of blood collected is low, Jamaica continues to fulfil the WHO requirements in screening 100 per cent of blood collected to ensure the distribution of safe blood and blood products. She also said that the NBTS is hoping to acquire a mobile blood collection unit in order to expand its outreach programme to not only urban areas, but rural areas as well.

"The National Blood Transfusion service aims to meet the demands of supplying sufficient blood and continues to strive and look at strategies to increase the supply of blood and blood products," she said. "These include the opening of new blood collection centres and increasing the number of blood mobiles."

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