By Donstance Koroma
President Sierra Leone Voluntary Blood Donor Association, Desmond Lewis has told this medium in an exclusive interview that his Association since its inception in 2006 has never been considered for national awards.
He continued that his Association is only considered when patients are in critical condition and are in need of blood or during the observance of the International Blood Donor day.
Mr. Desmond Lewis further stated that between 2006-2008, the Association recorded over five thousand (5,000) voluntary blood donors country wide Lewis.
He recounted that this period had emerged when the National Blood Bank was struggling to store enough blood to save lives.
President Lewis thanked AICS, Italian Association Solidarity Among People AISPO and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for their support to strengthen safe blood transfusion in the country.
The country’s leading blood donor with 180 unit of blood to his credit called on the government and donor partners to help the Association with an office space in order to boost their activities.
The recently structured Western Area Regional Transfusion Centre at the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH) hospital has a modern structure with a solar roof panel back up to ensure a cool chain for blood.
The Transfusion Center has procurement and stock control management manual and an expert in computer management programming.
The 1.3 Million Euro project will serves as a working and learning environment for staff, donors and students