PRCS CELEBRATES WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY
World blood donor day (WBDD) is celebrated globally on June 14th to honor voluntary blood
donors for their precious gift of life and create wider awareness for safe blood and importance of
voluntary blood donation as the first link in safe quality blood transfusion service.
Pakistan is a developing country in the process of establishing a BTS based on the international
principle of voluntary blood donation. Though 70% of the country population is youth under 29
years of age yet only 10% of the collected blood is from voluntary donors and 90% from
unhealthy unsafe replacement donations.
Globally the theme of WBDD is ‘Giving Blood Regularly’ to increase base of voluntary blood
donors and encourage eligible donors to donate regularly so as to meet national blood
requirements, ensure access to safe blood transfusion when needed and achieve the goal of
100% voluntary blood donation.
But In Pakistan context there is a great need to raise the level of awareness for the above
amongst the masses targeting youth. This can be best achieved by launching a campaign asking
a simple question ‘Do You Know Your Blood Group’.
Most people do not know their blood group and are unaware of how this simple information can
help save their life and the lives of others in emergencies. Initiating the process of blood grouping
is the first step that leads to voluntary blood donation. It is expected at the end of this campaign,
community members especially youth will be encouraged to learn their blood group for supporting
Blood Transfusion Service with Voluntary Non Remunerated Blood Donation thereby reducing
hospital reliance on replacement donation and assuring safer quality of blood and blood
components. The campaign was first planned nation wide but due to lack of funding and resource
it is now launched on pilot bases in the capital where the National Head Quarters of PRCS lies.
It is the first time in the history of Pakistan that the Government along with Blood Transfusion
Authorities has joined hands with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society and its Movement Partners
to celebrate WBDD and extended full support as to create awareness regarding importance of
safe blood and voluntary blood donation amongst the masses.
The Pakistan Red Crescent Society with the support of International Federation of the Red Cross
Red Crescent Societies and World Health Organization this year plans to celebrate WBDD in a
befitting manner bringing new partners to the platform of blood awareness like Islamabad Blood
Transfusion Authority (IBTA), Armed Forces of Institute of Transfusion (AFIT) and Telenor,
leading cellular service providers of Pakistan. PRCS has already been in partnership with Telenor
for online registration of blood donors and to generate blood requirements through mobile SMS
service, accessing potential donors.
Action Plan for June 14th
1. WBDD Award ceremony:
PRCS is holding an award ceremony at its National Head Quarters. The plans are to
invite 250 individuals representing VNRBD with high donations, donor institutes and
donor organizations who arrange regular blood camps and representative from
media. Shields and certificates will be awarded to these individuals. Lunch would be
served to all. The Minister for Health, Information Broadcasting and Education would
be the Chief Guest.
2. Launching of Song “Giving Blood is Giving Life”
PRCS with collaboration of Telenor has composed a song in the national language of
Pakistan which has been jointly sung by PRCS Telenor employees. It would be played
on all the national radio channels from 8th June till 14th June. PRCS Telenor
employees will also give live performance in the award ceremony.
3. Displaying of Banners
250 banners saluting Voluntary Blood Donors with a slogan “Thank You Voluntary
Blood Donors” would be raised at major points of the capital and its surroundings.
350 banners for the campaign “Do You Know Your Blood Group” would also be
raised at major points of the capital and its surroundings including Hospitals.
4. Free Blood Grouping Camp at markets
PRCS will hold a free blood grouping camp on 14th June at the busiest market places
of Islamabad which would be open for all. IEC material would be displayed and free
blood grouping would be carried out.
5. Free Blood Grouping at all Local Hospital of Islamabad and its surrounding
The Islamabad Blood Transfusion Authority thought Ministry of Health has advised all
the local hospitals of Islamabad and it’s surrounding to carry free blood grouping and
send their blood group along with their name, address and contact number to IBTA
as to compile a national database.
6. Blood Group field to be included in National ID card
IBTA has also taken the initiative to write to the Ministry of Interior to add blood
group as a compulsory field for the national ID card.
7. SMS to 2 Million subscribers of Telenor service users
Telenor will generate an SMS to its 2 million subscribers at Islamabad promoting the
online registration service of voluntary donors with a message “Donate Blood Save a
Life” and the registration process. The process will be started on June 14 th and would
be completed in a week.
8. Panel Discussion on National Television
PRCS is organizing a panel discussion on Pakistan Television on importance of safe
blood. Chairman IBTA, Joint Director PRCS Blood Donor Centre, Consultant
Hematologist BDC Dr Ayesha Junaid and other important figures would be a part of
the panel.
9. Talk Shows on National Radio Channels
PRCS is also organizing talk shows on 14th June on national radio channels.
10. Promoting VNRBD through Print Media
PRCS with collaboration of Telenor is giving a quarter page add in all major
newspaper on 14th June for thanking VNRBD and promoting the online registration
service of blood donors so as to increase the donor database.
11. Training for PRCS BDC Staff
AFIT has offered to give short period training to BDC staff in blood banking
procedures e.g. component preparation, cell separation etc.