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June 26, 2005

Blood donors commemorate World Blood Donor Day

by Amadou Bah, Gambia

Blood donors throughout The Gambia last Tuesday gathered in Essau village in the North Bank Division (11km from Banjul) to commemorate World Blood Donor Day .The event was organized by the Gambia Blood Donor Association GAMBLOOD.

In a statement delivered on behalf of the first lady the secretary for education Fatou Lamin Fye explained that the day has been set aside to honour as well as thank blood donors for their generosity .

She described blood donation as the most precious gift of life. The health secretary Dr Tamsir Mbowe commended the people of Essau for championing the national call to donate blood. He therefore called on people from other parts of the country to emulate what he called ‘’the people of Essau’s exemplary gesture’’.

The WHO Resident Representative Dr Nestor Shivute underscored the importance of voluntary blood donation and called for the establishment of more blood transfusion centres.

The manager of Gamblood Alhaji Bye Samba Njie informed the gathering that since the formation of his organization three years ago, there has been an increase in voluntary blood donation. A representative of the Gambia Red Cross Society Bye Cham commended stakeholders for their efforts geared towards the promotion of safe and adequate blood supply.

The Commissioner North Bank Division Batata Juwara delivered the welcoming remarks.