A single blood drive two Saturdays ago netted 240 units to set a new record in Guyana and the English-speaking Caribbean  when  Swami Aksharananda of Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara  spearheaded the activity.

This is the first time that any Caribbean country has collected in excess of 200 units in a single blood drive, the Ministry of Health said yesterday in a press release.

This latest donation also puts Guyana on track with its goal of acquiring 8,000 units of blood by yearend and 10,000 units by 2010.

At the end of last month, the National Blood Transfusion Unit had collected 3,286 units of blood and 2,549  units of that amount were collected from the transfusion centre in the compound of the Georgetown Hospital.

The Berbice Regional Health Authority was responsible for 244 units and the Red Cross, 178 units.

The hospital at Suddie, Essequibo was responsible for 118 units, St Joseph’s Mercy,  41 units and Woodlands Hospital, 107 units.

Sixty percent of the 3,286 units collected at the end of last month came from voluntary donations while 34% represented family replacements.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said that he is happy with the recent significant donation organised by Swami Aksharananda but noted that it raises the bar with regards to voluntary donation in Guyana.

“The challenge for everyone will be to break that record this year,” Ramsammy said, according to the release.

The National Blood Transfusion Service  recorded the most successful voluntary blood donation programme with a 72.4% rate, which puts Guyana ahead of its target of accomplishing 70% voluntary donation by the end of 2009.

The minister expressed gratitude to all stakeholders involved in the blood donation programme and noted that Guyanese have really

“stepped up” at all levels to help ensure that a reliable supply of blood is available at the NBTS. He  said persons  are always welcome at all six sites nationwide, which, including NBTS headquarters also in Georgetown, are in New Amsterdam, Berbice; Suddie, Essequibo Coast; Linden, Upper Demerara River and West Demerara Regional Hospital, West Coast Demerara.

While the bank is meeting its needs, Ramsammy added, other volunteer donors are being encouraged to come forward.