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

Laboratory in Coahuilatragedy, or pure gold. Mysteriousand fascinating, the Egyptiansused it to rejuvenate their eldersand to cure illnesses, and theRomans to acquire strength.A ceremony took place at theState Hospital for Women in thepresence of the Secretary of Statefor Health, the Director of HealthServices and many other healthpersonnel of Coahuila, highlightingthe activities of the CETS and thefact that the Centre is open toblood donors 24 hours a day.Potential donors pass three stagesto ensure safe blood transfusion:first, completion of an autoexclusionform, which explains therisks of unsafe blood; second, amedical visit to establish a clinicaldossier; and finally a laboratoryanalysis of a preliminary bloodsample. Last year, 1946 units ofblood were collected andunderwent 12,845 tests for majortransfusion transmissibleinfections.Focus on the State ofHidalgoThe concerted efforts—day afterday—in Hidalgo go towards blooddonation as an altruistic and nobleact and, in parallel, discouragingpaid or replacement donors.Altruistic donors should thereforehave a comfortable and cleanplace where they are welcomed bycompetent health servicespersonnel. All blood fortransfusion should be safe and istested for known infections.With unconditional support fromthe State health authorities, thefollowing activities were organizedfor WHD:An “on site” course in transfusionmedicine for physicians took placeon 3–7 April, conferring a diplomarecognized by the Medical Schooland the Medical College ofHidalgo. Ten medical specialiststaught the basic legal conceptsrelated to blood donation torepresentatives of bloodtransfusion services, blood banksand various health organizations.The course was based on theGeneral Health Law and inparticular articles related to thedonation of organs, tissue andother human parts, and officialMexican norms for the provisionof blood and blood components fora wide range of clinical andtherapeutic purposes. One of themost important themes of thecourse was quality assurance. Itwas agreed that quality normsshould be assured through healthcontrol visits, as well as follow-upmeetings, and that the courseshould be incorporated into theDistance Learning Programme.An information meeting betweenthe National and State BloodTransfusion Centres and WHO/PAHO agreed that the State BloodBanks should be strengthened.The media was encouraged topromote altruistic blood donation.TV programmes compared thevalue of voluntary, nonremuneratedblood donationagainst paid donation, and invitedthe general public to donate bloodfor the anonymous patient whoselife they may save, at least threetimes a year. Radio interviewsfocused on motivating andsensitizing listeners to thedifferent functions of bloodcomponents. The correct answersto key questions were rewardedwith safe blood prizes (caps,T-shirts, etc.)The safe blood theme wasenthusiastically promotedthroughout all strategic places inhealth sector hospitals and publicthoroughfares.Educational establishments suchas the Institute of Social Sciences,the Institute of Economic Sciencesand the School of Medicine weretargeted with a mass informationcampaign, reaching a total of 800students. They learnt why we needblood and why it must be safe.Also of the responsibility they43 ▲ WORLD HEALTH DAY ▼ SAFE BLOOD STARTS WITH ME