PRCS CELEBRATES WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY

World blood donor day (WBDD) is celebrated globally on June 14th to honor voluntary blood donors for their precious gift of life and create wider awareness for safe blood and importance of voluntary blood donation as the first link in safe quality blood transfusion service.

Pakistanis a developing country in the process of establishing a BTS based on the international principle of voluntary blood donation. Though 70% of the country population is youth under 29 years of age yet only 10% of the collected blood is from voluntary donors and 90% from unhealthy unsafe replacement donations.

Globally the theme of WBDD is‘Giving Blood Regularly’ to increase base of voluntary blood donors and encourage eligible donors to donate regularly so as to meet national blood requirements, ensure access to safe blood transfusion when needed and achieve the goal of 100% voluntary blood donation.

But In Pakistan context there is a great need to raise the level of awareness for the above amongst the masses targeting youth. This can be best achieved by launching a campaignasking a simple question ‘Do You Know Your Blood Group’.

Most peopledo not know their blood group and are unaware of how this simple information can help save their life and the lives of others in emergencies. Initiating the process of blood grouping is the first step that leads to voluntary blood donation. It is expected at the end of this campaign, community membersespecially youth will be encouraged to learn their blood group for supporting Blood Transfusion Service with Voluntary Non Remunerated Blood Donation thereby reducing hospital reliance on replacement donation and assuring safer quality of blood and blood components. The campaign was first planned nation wide but due to lack of funding and resourceit is now launched on pilot bases in the capital where the National Head Quarters of PRCS lies.

It is the first time in the history of Pakistan that the Government along with Blood Transfusion Authorities has joined hands with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society and its Movement Partners to celebrate WBDD and extended full support as to create awareness regarding importance of safe blood and voluntary blood donation amongst the masses.

The Pakistan Red Crescent Society with the support of International Federation of the Red Cross Red Crescent Societiesand World Health Organization this year plans to celebrate WBDD in a befitting manner bringing new partners to the platform of blood awareness like Islamabad Blood Transfusion Authority (IBTA), Armed Forces of Institute of Transfusion (AFIT) and Telenor, leading cellular service providers of Pakistan. PRCS has already been in partnership with Telenor for online registration of blood donors and to generate blood requirementsthrough mobile SMS service, accessing potential donors.

Action Plan for June 14th

1. WBDD Award ceremony:

PRCS is holding an award ceremony at its National Head Quarters. The plans are to invite 250 individuals representing VNRBD with high donations, donor institutes and donor organizations who arrange regular blood camps and representative from media. Shields and certificates will be awarded to these individuals. Lunch would be served to all. The Minister for Health, Information Broadcasting and Education would be the Chief Guest.

2. Launching of Song “Giving Blood is Giving Life”

PRCS with collaboration of Telenor has composed a song in the national language of Pakistan which has been jointly sung by PRCS Telenor employees. It would be played on all the national radio channels from 8th June till 14th June. PRCS Telenor employees will also give live performancein the award ceremony.

3. Displaying of Banners

250 banners saluting Voluntary Blood Donors with a slogan “Thank You Voluntary Blood Donors” would be raised at major points of the capital and its surroundings.

350 banners for the campaign “Do You Know Your Blood Group” would also be raised at major points of the capital and its surroundings including Hospitals.

4.Free Blood Grouping Camp at markets

PRCS will hold a free blood grouping camp on 14th June at the busiest market places of Islamabad which would be open for all. IEC material would be displayed and free blood grouping would be carried out.

5. Free Blood Grouping at all Local Hospital of Islamabad and its surrounding

The Islamabad Blood Transfusion Authority thought Ministry of Health has advised all the local hospitals of Islamabad and it’s surrounding to carry free blood grouping and send their blood group along with their name, address and contact number to IBTA as to compile a national database.

6. Blood Group field to be included in National ID card

IBTA has also taken the initiative to write to the Ministry of Interior to add blood group as a compulsory field for the national ID card.

7. SMS to 2 Million subscribers of Telenor service users

Telenor will generate an SMS to its 2 million subscribers at Islamabad promoting the online registration service of voluntary donors with a message “Donate Blood Save a Life” and the registration process. The process will be started on June 14th and would be completed in a week.

8. Panel Discussion on National Television

PRCS is organizing a panel discussion on Pakistan Television on importance of safe blood. Chairman IBTA, Joint Director PRCS Blood Donor Centre, Consultant Hematologist BDC Dr Ayesha Junaid and other important figures would be a part of the panel.

9. Talk Shows on National Radio Channels

PRCS is also organizing talk shows on 14th June on national radio channels.

10. Promoting VNRBD through Print Media

PRCS with collaboration of Telenor is giving a quarter page add in all major newspaper on 14th June for thanking VNRBD and promoting the online registration service of blood donors so as to increase the donor database.

11. Training for PRCS BDC Staff

AFIT has offered to give short period training to BDC staff in blood banking procedures e.g. component preparation, cell separation etc.