In Thimphu, to commemorate the 34th birthday of Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, the Bhutan Red Cross Society held a blood donation camp, today. The blood donation was organised to solve the blood shortage faced by the national referral hospital’s blood bank. More than 200 blood donors came forward to donate blood. The event was held in partnership with His Majesty’s Secretariat.
According to the national referral hospital’s blood bank unit, patients from across the country get referred to the hospital resulting in shortage of blood sometime.
The hospital transfuses the blood to patients with chronic illnesses such as cancer, kidney failure, liver problem and those injured in road accidents.
The national referral hospital is currently facing blood shortage of O group.
Dr Mahruk Getshen, a blood ttransfusion specialist with the JDWNRH’s Blood Bank said, “Being the national referral hospital, patients all over the country get referred to us. So, we have to have good stocks at the national referral hospital blood bank. But sometimes it so happens that patients require a particular blood group, for example, O group which is universal where we have to transfuse many units and the stocks goes down.”
The Bhutan Red Cross Society’s blood donation camp was organised at the Clock Tower Square in Thimphu.
Norbu Gyeltshen, a blood donor said, “I have been donating blood for the last three years and I donated four times. And I am donating blood believing it will benefit other people.”
Kinley Lham, who is a first-time donor said, “I am doing it as this will help individuals in need of blood. Moreover, excess blood in one’s body leads to health complications. So, donating blood will not only save other lives but also keep the donor healthy.”
Dragyel Tenzin Dorji, the secretary general of Bhutan Red Cross Society said, “Generally, the Red Cross Society in all 22 branches in the country are celebrating the birthday of Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, the president of Bhutan Red Cross Society. And in terms of blood donation, it is only done here in the capital. We will soon be conducting a mass blood group checking in the country as majority of the people do not know their blood group.”
A series of programmes such as waste management, advocacy on Bhutan Red Cross Society and planting of tree saplings were carried out across the country to commemorate the birthday of Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen.
Tashi Dekar
Edited by Tshering Zam
