CHIEF medical officer Dr Sheila Campbell Forrester says the increase in crime and violence has been draining the island's blood supplies and calls on gunmen to stop the wanton blood-letting.

".Crime and violence is another area that drives [the] demand for blood transfusion. This is an area that we are extremely concerned about and whilst we speak to the $2 billion in cost to the [health] services, it is indeed more than that," she said during a function to honour seven young voluntary blood donors.

"And I do appeal today to those who are involved in crime and violence to put down your guns, give blood today as a symbol of life... change your heart from killing to saving lives."

According to Dr Campbell Forrester, the blood used to treat persons who are seriously injured by violence could save the lives of pregnant women and their babies.

The World Health Orgnisation reported that over 500,000 preventable deaths occur annually during pregnancy or childbirth. An estimated 95 per cent of these vulnerable women and babies, she said, live in developing countries like Jamaica.

"I am sure you have heard that haemorrhage is one of the causes of maternal death," she said. "As you are aware, 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 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 to 50 per cent of the need being filled."

Dr Campbell Forrester also said recklessness on our roads is putting a strain on the blood supplies.

"There is another way that we can help to protect the island's blood supply, that is, by practising safety on the road. Accident victims often use a lot of blood in the fight to save their lives. With this month being road safety month, the ministry is appealing to motorists to play their part in ensuring that there are always safe and adequate quantities of blood in store," she said. "I would also appeal to motorists to drive carefully and to always think of other persons using our roadways. As motorists, I implore you to drive safely to the blood bank to make your donations."

Meantime, as she urged more Jamaicans to become voluntary blood donors, Dr Campbell Forrester said that safe blood could only be ensured by embracing a healthy lifestyle which includes proper eating habits, regular exercise, safe sexual practices and refraining from smoking and frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Executive Class

Gardens with Gravel

Death to the Mullet!