THE National Blood Transfusion Service has been allocated a World Bank loan of US$95,000 (J$5.2 million) to strengthen its services as it moves towards increasing the country’s blood supply by 100 per cent over the next five years.

The funds will also be used to:

* facilitate the total conversion from replacement to voluntary blood donors within that same time frame;

* positively promote blood donation as well as dispel myths and fears preventing individuals from giving blood; and

* improve the blood bank’s computer system.

Blood donations are now far below usage at most of the 10 centres islandwide and the annual blood collection averages 24,000 pints, which meets between 50 to 60 per cent of demand. The national need is between 50,000 to 75,000 units.

Speaking at Wednesday’s launch of the New Volunteer Blood Donor programme at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Health Minister John Junor said the programme seeks to bring new life and new blood to the service.

“The aim is to increase blood collections so as to close the gap between supply and demand,” Minister Junor said.

He added that a 30 per cent increase in blood collection was the target for the first six months of the programme, a 50 per cent rise was expected in 18 months and then 100 per cent collection within five years.

Noting that 90 per cent of the blood donated came from replacement donors, Junor emphasised that the goal was to increase the quantity of safe blood donated.

Issuing an appeal for blood donors, the health minister said the 55 year-old blood bank had been facing increasing challenges to boost the level of blood donors required by the health system, as health problems related to chronic disease and risky behaviour have contributed to the decreasing number of donors and potential donors.

According to Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) representative, Dr Manuel Pena, a country should collect blood equivalent to five per cent of its population, however, most countries — including Jamaica — barely reached 1.5 per cent.

During the launch, awards were given to the eight outstanding blood donors islandwide. These include :-

* Ahmed Ben Hasenn, a 70 year-old man who has donated 175 pints since 1956;

* John Burrows, 102 pints;

* Milton Kelly, 85 pints;

* Yvonne Binns, 77;

* Herman Westcar, 66;

* Eric Errar, 58;

* Sonya Binns 40; and

* Carol Barrows 40 pints.