The St. Lucia Medical and Dental Association (SLMDA) recently took the opportunity to partner with the Blood Bank to undertake a blood drive activity. This activity was aimed at ensuring the

doctors also play their part in addressing the heightened need for blood in Saint Lucia. The St.

Lucia Medical and Dental Association also encouraged their colleagues, that is doctors and other

members and the public to donate blood.

The blood drive activity with the SLMDA was dubbed an “excellent initiative” which provided a

platform for doctors to lead by example and donate blood.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar-George took the position to lead by example by

participating in this initiative. Dr. Belmar-George also commended the SLMDA for hosting this

activity given the current challenges with maintaining a sustainable blood supply to manage

patients on island. “This initiative raises awareness on the importance of giving blood and the

fact that one pint can save up to three lives. We also want the public to know that when you give

blood, that is not for only accident victims and persons with trauma but persons requiring

general surgery: our sickle patients, mothers who may delivering babies. We never know when

we may be the ones who need blood. So, we want the public to come out and not just today as

part of the drive but at least three to every six months, whenever you can. Make it your duty to

give.”

Senior Medical Technologist Karen Louis applauded the doctors for taking this positive and bold

step and highlighted the impact of blood donation in managing health care emergencies on a

regular basis. “By this initiative, everyone is playing their part so that we have a readily available

blood supply. The carnival season is coming up and we never know what emergencies or

instances that may happen or arise, so we need to make sure that we have all blood types that

are readily available for all patients in need. So we want Saint Lucians to come out in numbers.”

Member of the SLMDA and Consultant Surgeon Dr. Dawit Kabiye expressed great pleasure to be

part of this initiative and called for participation and collaboration of organisations to help with

closing the gap in blood donations. “It takes more than the Blood Bank staff; it takes more than

the SLMDA; it takes the whole community and everybody participating. It is an area where the

ministry and a lot of efforts need to be made because the donors are the population. Basically,

you need to have structured drives and continuous drives. So, every time you use blood, you go

to zero and we need to be replenishing. It requires investment, it requires a lot of sensitization

for people to be able to donate.”

The Blood Bank encourages the public to donate blood to save lives and to give back to the

community.