The Government should take a more proactive position when it comes to the issue of blood supply in T&T. This was the view of Jean Waldron, social worker and member of the only mobile unit for blood collection in T&T. Waldron spoke during an interview on Wednesday while she and other staff members of the mobile unit of the Friends of the Blood Bank Association were in a blood collection drive with staff of Guardian Media Ltd. Guardian Media has been involved with blood donation initiatives with Friends of the Blood Bank since 2002.
Waldron said the Government's method of dealing with the "shortage of blood" in the country was reactionary. She said what was needed was consistent public exposure to the benefits of blood donations. "People need to be educated and understand that without blood, certain surgeries and medical procedures cannot happen," said Waldron. Though there are other blood collection units set up in several institutions, there has only been one mobile unit to serve the country for more than 20 years.
The unit visits different organisations for blood drives initiatives and encourages individuals to participate and donate blood. According to the group, the response from the public had grown over the years, but people still had fears when it came to donating blood.
"People fear needles, some are apprehensive about blood and some fear there may be risks involved such as infection," said Yvonne Mitchell, a registered nurse, who has been part of the unit for more than 20 years. Mitchell said donating blood was not only beneficial to the nation but also healthy for the individual. "When someone donates blood, the process helps rejuvenate and replenish blood cells...they also become equipped with a wealth of knowledge and have the added benefit of receiving medical blood tests and doing something for the good of mankind," she said.