KARACHI, June 15: To promote a culture of making blood donations, and to acknowledge the donors' commitment to the cause, the World Blood Donors' Day was observed on Monday.

Dr Farhana Memon, Programme Manager, Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority, said while talking to the APP that people making long ques in front of blood banks in case of an emergency, despite constant pleas that no more donations could be accommodated, were yet to realize that their routine donations could be more beneficial for the patients.

She said the outlets collecting blood donations, particularly those registered with the SBTA, could ensure proper screening of blood and later transfuse only safe blood to those in need, even under extreme situation.

Dr Syed Abdul Mujib, in charge of the blood bank at the JPMC, talking to the APP said that the sense of responsibility among citizens to contribute in saving lives of others needed to be properly guided.

According to him, the very people who attempted to reach the blood banks under emergency conditions and against high risks even to their own lives, could be motivated that all individuals between the age of 17 years to 60 years with above 50 Kg weight and not suffering from any disease, could donate blood without any health risk.

Men falling under the said category could donate four times a year, with a gap of three months, while the women could donate three times - after every four months, he elaborated.

He said the donors could also be offered regular medical checkups, besides blood-screening facilities and could be providing with treatment if required, following their assessment.

Reiterating that the unsung heroes needed to be appreciated, he said people also needed to realize that there happened to be no less than 5,000 thalassemic kids, requiring some two to three points of blood every month, as very often their family members failed to arrange the same, exposing them to death. - APP