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Screening may save a blood donor's life
Millions of lives are saved each year worldwide through blood transfusions, but in many developing countries including Pakistan, people still die due to an inadequate supply of blood and blood products. “In Pakistan, people usually come out and donate blood when an unfortunate incident occurs. But sometimes these contributions are too late to save a life. Our country needs voluntary, unpaid donors who can donate blood regularly,” stressed Dr Salman Adil, Associate Professor and Section Head of Haematology and Oncology at Aga Khan University (AKU). “Blood donation may also save a donor's life as a disease or infection can be detected during the screening process. Many people have been diagnosed with hepatitis and other diseases after donating blood for a relative or friend. After giving blood, most people feel great physically and spiritually, as this noble effort can save a human life. The donor may also benefit from the same effort, if ill later in life.”
According to World Health Organisation, of the 80 countries with low blood donation rates, 79 are developing nations. World Blood Donor Day celebrated every year on June 14, highlights the role blood donors play in saving lives and improving the health of millions. This year's theme is ‘Giving Blood Regularly' - an effort to commit volunteer blood donors to donating regularly.
Dr Bushra Moiz, Assistant Professor, Department of Pat hology and Microbiology, AKU identified the general requirements for a blood donor: you must be at least 18 years of age, weigh a minimum of 50 kg and have good basic health. Blood donation does not affect a normal human body, which contains five litres of blood, for blood donation means giving under half a litre. After a donation, the volume of fluids in the body usually adjusts within a few hours and the red blood cells are replaced within a few weeks. “Replacement or paid donors are usually associated with a significantly higher prevalence of transfusion and transmissible infections, therefore, the safest blood donors are voluntary and unpaid,” Dr Moiz stressed.
Experts at AKU will highlight the need to regularly give blood to prevent shortages, at the World Blood Donor Day programme to be held on June 14. A voluntary blood donation camp will also be organised on the occasion.
For more information about how to donate blood, please visit:
http://www.aku.edu/events/pdf/Blood_donation_information_brochure.pdf
For further information, please contact:
- Rida Turabi, Senior Media Executive, at 486-2931;
- Hassaan Akhter, Media Executive, at 486-2927;
- Fabeha Pervez, Media Executive, at 486-2925
Department of Public Affairs
Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, P.O. Box 3500, Karachi 74000.
Fax: 493 - 4294, 493 - 2095 www.aku.edu
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