12 June, 2008. Kyiv, Ukraine - Millions of people owe their lives to people they will never meet - people who donate their blood freely and without any reward. In spite of advancements in medical and surgical procedures, there is still a great need for blood. Just 400 ml. of donated blood can help save as many as three people's lives.
Today the UN Country Team in Ukraine has conducted UN Blood Drive on the eve of the World Blood Donor Day commemorated annually worldwide on June 14. To promote unpaid blood donation and to support the global movement encouraging regular blood donations, UN staff members decided to donate their blood in the Kyiv city hospital.
Initiated by the WHO country office in Ukraine, this joint UN action was organized for the first time in country involving employees of the World Health Organization, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Volunteers programme, the International Organization for Migration, the World Bank and the UN office in Ukraine.
"It is crucially important for Ukraine to advance its blood transfusion system to ensure regular, safe and sustainable blood supply", stated Head of WHO country office in Ukraine Dr Igor Pokanevych. "The blood donation approach and the legislation have to be changed in Ukraine to unpaid ones", he added.
In Europe voluntary non-remunerated blood donation is reported as the main source for the national blood supply in 46 countries. According to latest reports, in the WHO European region the number of donors varies from less than 4.5 in 1000, to over 45 per 1000 general population. And 90% of individuals that are eligible to donate blood are not currently doing so.
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For more information, please contact UN Department of Public Information
Veronika Vashchenko
(044) 254.0035, WHO country office in Ukraine
Yuriy Kobyscha
(044) 425.8828. |
