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Donate Blood Voluntarily, WHO Tells Youths


Ololade Omosan-Agie

The World Health Organisation on Monday said that youths of all climes must embrace the humanitarian call to donate blood and inspire others to do the same Voluntarily.

In commemoration of the 2021 World Blood Donor Day, themed; “Give blood and keep the world beating”, the organisation noted that the need for blood is universal, but access to blood for all those who need it is not.

To ensure that everyone who needs safe blood has access to it, it said all countries need voluntary, unpaid donors who give blood regularly.

“The specific objectives of this year’s campaign is to encourage youths to embrace the humanitarian call to donate blood and inspire others to do the same.

“Blood shortages are particularly acute in developing countries.

“A special focus of this year’s campaign will be the role of young people in ensuring a safe blood supply,” it said.

The organisation also advocated the need for governments and national health authorities to provide adequate resources, put in place systems and infrastructures to increase the collection of blood from voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors.

“The aim is to raise global awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products for transfusion and of the critical contribution voluntary, unpaid blood donors make to national health systems.

“Safe blood and blood products and their transfusion are a critical aspect of care and public health. They save millions of lives and improve the health and quality of life of many patients every day.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, despite limited mobility and other challenges, blood donors in many countries have continued to donate blood and plasma to patients who need transfusion.

“In many countries, young people have been at the forefront of activities and initiatives aimed at achieving safe blood supplies through voluntary, non-remunerated blood donations,” it said.

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