“One drop of humanity” – Health Minister hails shift to 100% voluntary blood donation

Guyana has completed its transition to a fully voluntary blood donation system, a milestone that Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony says reflects the significant progress made in strengthening the country’s blood transfusion services. Speaking on Friday, Dr Anthony credited the achievement to the work of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) under the leadership of its Director, Dr Pedro Lewis.
“Under Dr Lewis’ stewardship, we have seen a complete transition to voluntary blood donation,” the Minister said, noting that the accomplishment demonstrates the quality of work being carried out by the blood bank. Anthony said the Government is working to build one of the region’s leading blood transfusion services, with continued investments aimed at expanding and modernising blood banking facilities across Guyana and enhancing access to safe blood supplies.
The Minister said the Government is continuing to expand blood banking infrastructure as part of its broader health sector modernisation agenda. He noted that blood banking facilities have already been integrated into the six new hospitals being established across the country.

“The six new hospitals all have blood banking facilities,” he said. “We are now in the process of adding additional hospitals, and they too will be equipped with blood banking services.”
Anthony also announced the introduction of advanced technology to support blood management during surgical procedures. He revealed that the Government has procured and distributed nine CellSaver machines throughout the public health system to facilitate autotransfusion, a process that allows a patient’s own blood to be recovered and reinfused during surgery.
“This morning [Friday] marked the first use of one of these machines, and it was very successful,” Dr Anthony said, referring to a procedure performed on an 85-year-old patient.
“We have purchased nine of these machines and are placing them in various parts of the country. Wherever surgeries are performed, we will be able to recover and reinfuse a patient’s own blood. The blood bank has been very innovative and continues to embrace cutting-edge technology,” he added.
The Health Minister also highlighted efforts by the Ministry and the NBTS to localise specialised medical testing and expand services in regenerative medicine.
“To carry out kidney transplants, we previously had to send samples to Miami for testing,” he explained. “Each test cost approximately US$3,000. We now have a laboratory capable of conducting HLA testing locally. This will not only support living donor transplants but will also help us advance plans for deceased organ donation.”
He added, “We also want to expand our work in regenerative medicine.”
The ceremony also included the presentation of tokens of appreciation to outstanding voluntary blood donors and institutional partners whose continued support has helped sustain Guyana’s national blood supply.