The National Blood Transfusion Service hosted a blood drive at the Fogarty’s Department Store on Wednesday and Thursday as the public/private partnership on health between the ministry and Laparkan Trading Ltd enters its third phase.
Minister of Health Dr Bheri Ramsaran who attended the first session on Wednesday morning, said hosting the activity at Laparkan is cost effective as it is a big establishment. He said that the ministry hopes to get about 30 donors for each day of the exercise. The minister also extended gratitude to the company and its staff for participating in the blood drive and he promised donors that the procedure was easy and satisfying, a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said.
“It is a satisfying knowledge to know you are helping your fellow Guyanese through this donation,” Ramsaran said. He then explained that “One unit of blood can be broken down into different fractions and each one of those can be used to fight a specific disease,” adding that “When then, you donate blood one unit of blood, it can be used to save the life of more than one person.”
Laparkan, in collaboration with the ministry has hosted VIA testing for cervical cancer and eye screening exercises for its employees and the public recently. More than 80 women benefited from the VIA screening and 420 persons had their eyes screened. According to Babita Rambirich, Vice President of Fogarty’s Department Store, “We are moving on to the voluntary blood drive… This is part of our community outreach programme whereby we will partner with agencies to bring services to members of the public, to our employees, to our suppliers and their families.”
GINA said, Laparkan workers have been avid continuous blood donors. One worker Laleta Sivanan, fully supports the company’s efforts, saying “I’m absolutely pleased to be associated with our company and our efforts in reaching out to the public.”
