Republic of Mauritius- Blood transfusion is vital in saving lives, says Minister Jagutpal

This was the gist of the message of the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, this morning, in Port Louis.  He was speaking at the launching of the annual Blood Donation campaign organised by the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) at its headquarters. The Director-General of the MRA, Mr Sudhamo Lal, was present. The event coincides with the 14^th anniversary celebrations of the MRA.  On that occasion, medical equipment comprising, multi-parameter patient monitors and an aberrometer, was donated by the MRA to the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

In his address, Dr Jagutpal lauded this much welcomed blood donation initiative and pointed out that the MRA has collected more than 11 000 pints of blood as at date since it started its blood donation exercise in 2007. This year, he noted, the stock of blood and blood products has been impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. ‘Mobile blood collections were devised during the sanitary curfew and this strategy allowed Government to collect more than 5 600 units of blood during the lockdown’, he underlined.

The Minister also indicated that from the beginning of January to 31 July 2020, 22 493 units of blood have been collected while 47 863 pints were collected in 2019.  Each day, some 150 pints are used in our hospitals, hence the need for the public to continue to support the Health Care System by donating their blood, he said.

Speaking about the essential role of NGOs and sociocultural groups which link Government with the community as regards blood collection, Dr Jagutpal appealed to the public to participate in blood donation campaigns on a frequent basis.  He also encouraged Mauritians to register themselves as regular blood donors.

For his part, Mr Lal, underlined that regular blood donations are required from a sustainable number of healthy donors to ensure the availability of safe blood whenever it is needed. Voluntary blood donation, he added, has always been a major public health priority but has become increasingly important in the wake of recent epidemics. Blood donors, he further stated, should feel honoured and privileged to provide safe blood to save lives.

The MRA, he announced, as part of its Go-Green initiatives, will offer plants to those who are donating their blood and in turn those recipients will help in enhancing the environment.

The MRA blood donation campaign is also being held at the MRA Customs House in Mer Rouge, the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, and the Passenger Air Transportation Service in Plaine Magnien. Last year, 1 721 pints of blood were collected.