To commemorate the World Blood Donor Day celebrated on the 14th of June every year, the President of the Republic, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan hosted a ceremony at State House this morning to recognize and thank regular voluntary blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood throughout the past years.
During the ceremony, 36 top blood donors received a medal and certificate for their contributions. Bronze medals were given to those who recorded 20 – 44 units, silver medals: 45 – 75 units, and gold medals 75 units. From the group, Mr. Harry Dingwall has contributed the most amount of blood (116 units), since 1991.
Speaking at the event, the President pointed out that today’s event is to honour them for the selfless acts and to thank the donors for their priceless contribution, which is making a positive impact in the lives of the people of Seychelles. He commended and urged the youths to become voluntary blood donors. He also had words of encouragement for the staff at the Ministry of Health and thanked organisations and workplaces who contribute in one way or another to coordinate blood donations.
“On behalf of the people of Seychelles, today I want to express our deepest appreciation for your noble gestures to give blood without expecting anything in return. We all have a member of the family or someone that we know that has benefitted from you all as blood donors and we want to say thank you. I want to encourage more people to come forward, people in good health who have never given blood, particularly young people, to begin doing so”
“I also would like to express my recognition and gratitude to the various governmental, non-governmental organisations, private and parastatal companies that organise blood donations and make it a regular event in their calendar of activities. Before I conclude, I would also emphasise on this generous act mainly for people of rare blood groups and urge for a national exercise in order to identify those with rare blood groups and who wish to give blood voluntarily and regularly,” said the President.
In her remarks, the Minister for Health, Mrs. Peggy Vidot underlined that donated blood is used for several reasons; for transfusions for people with anemia, cancer, people who have suffered severe trauma in accidents, and many other medical conditions that affect the blood or its components.
“Today, I want to commend and applaud our voluntary blood donors for their act of solidarity. This also goes to other individuals and organizations such as the Red Cross Society of Seychelles who supported and coordinates the activities for blood donations. I called upon other individuals to come forward to donate blood. I wish to also thank all the staff from the Ministry of Health, for all their dedication and hard work,” said Minister Vidot.
To date, the Blood Transfusion Centre (BTC) has 650 blood donors registered.
Also present at the ceremony was the First Lady, Mrs. Linda Ramkalawan, Principal Secretary for Health, Dr. Bernard Valentin, the Chief Executive of Health Care Agency, Mr. Danny Louange, the Public Health Commissioner, Dr. Jude Gedeon, World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative for Seychelles, and other distinguished guests.