The national commemorative ceremony marking World Blood Donor Day, observed at Temple Trees with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Saturday (14).
Coinciding with the event, a felicitation was also held to honour blood donors.
Addressing the event, the Prime Minister stated: “The theme declared by the World Health Organisation for this year is “Give Blood, Give Hope – Together we save lives.” In Sri Lanka, nearly 85 percent of the annual blood requirement is fulfilled through the invaluable contribution of organisers of mobile blood donation campaigns. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to them.
Out of the 450,000 blood units received annually by the National Blood Transfusion Service, more than 380,000, around 85 percent are collected through these mobile donation campaigns. Nearly 5,000 mobile blood donation drives are organised annually to support this cause.
Around 1,500 blood donors and nearly 1,000 mobile blood donation campaign organisers participated in this commemorative event. Individuals representing all ethnicities, religions, provinces, and regions of the country ranging from corporate entities, Government institutions, volunteer organisations, schools, defense services, and individual contributors were awarded at this ceremony.
These organisers dedicate their personal resources, time, and labour voluntarily without expecting any personal gain.
The uniquely effective blood donation system that exists in Sri Lanka is not seen in many parts of the world.
The Government intends to systematically reinstate a previously proposed initiative to allocate one day annually for State institutions to participate in blood donation.
Additionally, more opportunities should be provided within the school system to raise awareness about blood donation, as future blood donors are nurtured through education.
Even amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, these individuals fulfilled their national responsibility without hesitation.
Today, Sri Lanka has become a country that meets 100 percent of its blood demand through voluntary donations, thanks to the tremendous service rendered by these individuals.
Health and Mass Media Minister, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated: “Two key sectors of Sri Lanka’s health system, the primary healthcare and the National Blood Transfusion Service have received international recognition. In 2010, the World Health Assembly declared that by 2020, all countries should fulfill their blood requirements entirely through voluntary donations. Sri Lanka achieved this goal by 2014. As of today, only about 70 countries worldwide have reached this standard.
The true heroes behind this significant achievement are Sri Lanka’s blood donors and mobile campaign organisers, a uniquely committed group of individuals with pure hearts.
The Government is also focusing on modernising the Blood Transfusion Service further.
The Health Ministry is working to introduce opportunities for stem cell and plasma donations, implement NAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) testing, enhance quality control mechanisms at all blood banks, and establish internationally recognised standards such as AABB and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) to uplift the service to even greater heights.
Health and Mass Media Deputy Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena, National Blood Transfusion Service Director Dr. Lakshman Edirisingh and several Government officials and a large number of blood donors attended the event.
