Neighbourhood pharmacy hosts blood drive, health fair in Diamond

Prashad’s Medical and Pharmacy, in collaboration with the Guyana Red Cross Society, National Aids Program Secretariat (NAPS) and the Blood Bank, on Saturday held its second annual blood drive and health fair initiative at the pharmacy’s Lot 62 Second Street, Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) location.
The blood drive and health fair was aimed at increasing the reserves at the National Blood Transfusion Unit, and to assist persons who are unable to access or pay for medical checkups.
According to Prashad’s Chief Executive Officer, Paras Prashad, the objective of the event is also to educate persons about the importance of donating a single unit of blood, and how it can help those in need.
During the six-hour activity, more than 20 units of blood were donated by persons in and around the community.
The event, which also provided a medium to educate persons on the benefits of donating blood, and thereby address the reluctance associated with donating blood, targeted some 100 donors, who also benefited by receiving free gifts, door hamper prizes, free sampling of products, free medical advice, and a prestigious gift basket giveaway. Additionally, persons were able to access free testing for blood sugar, pressure, haemoglobin, cholesterol. Tests were provided also for all high school entrance students.
Only recently, the National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS) stated that it’s in dire need of blood to satisfy the ever-growing demand for the commodity.
According to the institution, the demand is high and the blood bank is short of all blood groups.
The goal of the NBTS is for all the blood supplied in Guyana to be collected from voluntary, healthy donors. Every unit of blood that is donated is screened and delivered through a network of Blood Banks countrywide, and is used as needed.