Safe Blood Starts with Me - libdoc.who.int - World Health Organization

Mongolian language anddistributed, with WHO support,several manuals on blood safetyand the appropriate use of bloodproducts to all hospitals.Various advertisements on theprovision and safety of blood andblood products were broadcastthrough television and radiochannels. The biggest channel ofMongolian TV prepared a specialprogramme entitled “Sacred deedsof blood donors and blood safety”.In this programme, the WHORepresentative and the Minister ofHealth and Social Welfareaddressed the Mongolian people.The greeting from Dr Omi, WHODirector for the Western Pacific,as well as a programme aboutblood safety, were presented.Doctors and specialists of theBlood Centre played a key role inall activities organized on thestudents worked in trolleybuses, distributing leaflets andthe President’s appealoccasion of WHD 2000. Theydelivered lectures and highlightedtheir own actions at more than 10organizations involving around2000 people. Students ofuniversities, high schools andcolleges also participated inpromoting World Health Day byworking in buses and trolleybusesand distributing leaflets and thePresident’s appeal.Press conferenceThe press conference was animportant event to promote theLaw on Donors, World Health Day2000 and the President’s appeal.Dr P. Nyamdawa, Social PolicyAdviser to the President, Mr L.Odonchimed, President of theMongolian Red Cross Society, MrsB. Tsetsegdari, Chief of the HealthDivison of the Ministry of Healthand Dr D. Ulaankhuu, Director ofthe Blood Centre, took part in thepress conference. They deliveredspeeches and gave detailedanswers to questions from themedia on the provision and safetyof blood and blood products.Scientific seminarsTwo seminars, one on the“Rational use of blood and bloodproducts” and another on the“Provision of blood safety” wereconducted with support fromWHO. The first involved directorsand deputy directors of cities andaimaks clinical and joint hospitals,whilst the second was conductedwith the participation oflaboratory doctors of all aimaks.The training of doctors andthe renewal of basicequipment were also highon the President’s agenda.Presidential supportThe presidential visit to the BloodCentre with state andgovernmental high level officialswas a significant event in supportof World Health Day. ThePresident, familiar with theactivities of the Blood Centre,addressed the staff and awardedHonoured Donors with certificatesand badges. In his speech, heexpressed deep thanks to allcitizens of Mongolia for theiractive and broad acceptance of hisappeal. He also emphasized theimportance of the adequateprovision and safety of blood andblood products, especially inemergency cases during naturaldisasters, certain accidents andserious diseases that could affectlarge groups.Improvement in productiontechnologies of blood and bloodproducts through the training ofdoctors and production specialistsand the renewal of basicequipment were also high on hisagenda, as was the need forfinancial assistance to developblood transfusion services in thiscountry.Conclusion“Safe blood starts with me. Bloodsaves lives”—initiative of WHOand the International Federationof the Red Cross and Red CrescentSocieties—was an important step111 ▲ WORLD HEALTH DAY ▼ SAFE BLOOD STARTS WITH ME