Safe voluntary blood donation

There is always a need to the safe donor blood. World Health Organization always puts a stress on such matter as 100% voluntary safe blood donation and invites all the National Societies to take active part in the development of this sphere.

11th International voluntary blood donors recruitment colloquium was held in Cairo, the capital of Egypt on the 12-18th of January, 2008. A colloquium was organized jointly by WHO, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Egyptian RCS.

250 representatives from 63 countries the great majority of which from eastern countries (the coordinators of blood donation programs and the representatives of the Blood Bank) participated in this colloquium. Head of the "Health and Care" department of Az.RCS - Matanat Garakhanova represented Az.RCS in this colloquium. The President of Cairo RC, first lady of the country Susanna Mubarak made a speech, greeted the guests and wished them success in their work.

Head of the "Health and Care" department of International Federation of RC/RCS gave recommendations in regard with development of blood donation program held by the NSs, in recruitment of the voluntary blood donors, in effective use of the memorandum signed between WHO and International Federation of RC/RCS.

The major objective of the colloquium was the recruitment of 100% voluntary blood donors. Representatives of the various NSs made presentations on the activities in the sphere of blood donation, took part in the debates of different kinds organized for the groups and informed the other NS representatives about their future plans.

The works planned to implement in the 2008 Olympic Games in China towards the voluntary blood donation is one of the example for the future plans. The reports of various NSs on the recruitment of voluntary blood donation were also presented. The report of the voluntary blood donation program in 2004-2007 supported by Norwegian RCS was presented by a representative of Az.RCS Matanat Garakhanova. At the same time there was a meeting with our partner in this program, the coordinator of the blood donation program in Norwegian RCS Tor Ole Bergan. Future activities in the frame work of Blood donation program held by Az.RCS was also discussed. There information was given about "Club-25" - the joint activity of the Health and Youth departments of the NS in the colloquium. Today, a lot of NSs (China, Chili, Austria, Hungary and others) achieved to hold enlightening works on the healthy lifestyle among the youth with the help of "Club-25" - the club of youth formed from the voluntary young blood donors. It was mended to the representatives of NSs, to implement this program widely among the young generation.

Today all the young, healthy donor who regularly donates blood not only meet the needs of the people, but also give their contribution to the development of the blood donation program. Az.RCS helps the youth to join to the voluntary donors in its country.