DILI, 13 june 2023 (TATOLI) – The National Blood Bank (BNS) of Timor-Leste is facing a blood crisis. The blood shortage poses a concerning risk to patient care in the country.
The Acting Head of the National Blood Bank, Agustinha Alves said that currently there is no stock of blood at the NBB, saying there are only several bags of blood reserved for patients in need.
“We have several bags of blood that are reserved for patients in need, including seven bags of A+, five bags of B+, six bags of AB+, and six bags of O+. These bags of blood are for those who need blood in any emergency circumstances,” Alves told TATOLI, in Dili, today.
She pointed out that AB+ is the rarest of the eight main blood types to get from regular donors: “Therefore, we always keep in touch with people who have the AB+ blood type, so that if there is an urgent need for this blood type, we can contact them to donate their blood.”
Alves said that NBB only collects between 20 and 30 bags of blood every month, saying that the supply cannot always meet demand because only generous volunteers donate blood on a quarterly basis: “Consequently, many patients who need a blood transfusion do not have timely access to safe blood.”
“We need to extend the National Blood Donation Program to other municipalities to involve more organizations, institutions, and individuals in donating blood to save patients in need,” she explained.
Alves informed that, to date, the NBB has collected blood from university students, NGOs, government institutions, and so on: “Every day, at least one or two people always visit the NBB to donate blood. And we need to increase the number of donors to help us meet the needs of patients.”
She suggested that the next government should transform the NBB into a public institute, so that it would have enough capacity and resources to organize blood donation on a large scale, including at the municipal level.
“At the moment, there is only a doctor, two nurses, and more than 17 medical laboratory professionals working at the NBB. Therefore, we need more human resources, including blood bank doctors, hematologists, and so on. In addition, we also require capacity building and training,” she said.
Alves added that the Ministry of Health, WHO, and other relevant organizations should raise communities’ awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products.
Due to limited human resources, NBB has been collaborating with the Red Cross of Timor-Leste (RCTL) to organize blood donation activities in the country.
The donated blood is not only intended for the Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares (HNGV) but also for referral and regional hospitals and private clinics in the country.
Alves thanked all people who have always been willing to donate their blood to save the lives of others: “We appreciate your donation. Your contribution will help us save lives and improve health.”
The campaign slogan for the celebration of World Blood Donor Day 2023 is “Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often”.
If more blood donors donate blood regularly, blood shortages would be a rare event in Timor-Leste.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
