Maseru, June 14 – World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative to Lesotho, Dr Angela Benson says the World Blood Donor Day is meant to recognize the efforts of voluntary blood donors.

Speaking at the World Blood Donor Day held at Queen Elizabeth II, on Wednesday, whose theme for this year is 'Commitment to Ensure Universal Access to Safe Blood', Dr Benson said the day highlights the significance of voluntary non-remunerated blood donations in the provision of adequate and safe blood supplies

She mentioned that the need to collect enough blood and to make it available for patients is more acute in developing countries and particularly in Africa.

She indicated that many patients, especially women and children die because of lack of blood or are infected when transfused with unsafe blood, saying this occurs in remote areas which lack facilities for blood collecting and processing.

She urged the government to take responsibility to ensure adequate provision of safe blood where needed, further encouraging donors to continue with the good job they are doing through their precious gift, the gift of life.

Dr Benson said recent surveys conducted in 38 countries in the African Region revealed that in a population of over 430 million people, 2,2 million units of blood were collected in 2004.

At the same occasion, the Queen Elizabeth hospital Director, Mr Tlhabi Moorosi indicated that World Blood Day is an important day for all Basotho people, adding that Lesotho received funds from Ireland in 1984 which helped them to build its own transfusion department.

Mr Moorosi said the blood collected in the country is still not enough for patients, and urged youngsters to contribute in the donations of blood. He said donating blood is a humanitarian act done out of free will, saying the blood is screened for HIV, Hepatitis B and C viruses, syphilis and also blood group.

The Lesotho Red Cross Society Representative, Dr 'Musi Mokete said the society aims at providing blood to different countries, and is working hard to reach people in remote areas.

Dr Mokete mentioned that blood is important for human being, saying people cannot live if they do not have blood in their bodies, urging all Basotho to help with the blood transfusion.

The World Blood Donor Day was established by the World Health Assembly in June 14, 2005.