Celebrating World Blood Donor Day 2010 in Turkmenistan: In the name of life and health

On 14 June World Blood Donor Day is celebrated throughout the world, also in Turkmenistan, where a voluntary blood donor drive was held. The event was organized by the editorial board of the Neitralniy Turkmenistan newspaper, the Health Information Center of the Ministry of Health, the Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and the Blood Center, with active support from the Turkmen State Publishing Service and the national media.

Early in the morning a travelling blood donation unit (a bus specially equipped as a laboratory) drove up to the House of Press where the main editorial offices of periodical publications are located. The unit has everything required for drawing blood, even capacity for making blood components in case of off-line work in emergency situations. Physicians made preliminary screenings of potential donors since it is not enough just to want to become a blood donor - you need to be absolutely healthy.

Specialists from the Health Information Center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan were also present. The physicians from the Health Information Center explained to the potential blood donors that most people become donors when a relative or someone they know needs blood and its components.

There are two categories of donors: active donors and reserve donors. The first category refers to donors that donate blood regularly several times a year on their own initiative. Reserve donors are those who donate blood mainly on a one time basis but agree to give additional blood donations if needed. Reserve donors are registered if they have a rare blood type, or if their blood has biological indicators that are highly in demand.

“This is the second blood drive that we have organized jointly with editorial board of Neitralniy Turkmenistan newspaper and the Turkmen State Publishing Service”, said Redjepmurad Geldiev, Director of the Health Information Center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan during an interview. “These events help to promote how important blood donation is, and that free, regular blood donation is an element of public health system. Thanks to all that are not indifferent and are ready to help”.