The U.S. Embassy partnered with the Ministry of Health last week for a blood drive at the Embassy.
A release from the embassy yesterday said that a near record forty-five units of blood were donated. As in previous Mission blood drives, the diplomatic community, including the Mexi-can Ambassador and the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer donated much needed blood.
The Embassy said it is pleased to continue this twelve-year partnership with the Ministry of Health to combat HIV/AIDS under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief’s (PEPFAR).
The release said that a major component of the success of this partnership is the development of an adequate, safe supply of blood for the people of Guyana. It noted that over the past twelve years, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided technical help to the Guyanese Ministry of Health on blood safety activities. These initiatives, the release said include enhancing blood collection procedures and policies in Guyana, recruiting and retaining low-risk blood donors, and ensuring the testing of all donated blood for HIV and other transfusion-transmissible infections. Physicians and other clinicians in transfusion services receive education on proper utilization guidelines to reduce inappropriate use of blood.
The Guyana National Blood Bank relies on voluntary donations of blood from civic- minded people to ensure safe blood is available when needed to save a life.
