Starting April 1, doctors and medical personnel at blood transfusion centers will receive 50% higher wages. The decision was approved by the Government, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to Minister of Health Larisa Catrinici, the raise is determined by a significant increase during the recent years in the work load for the centers’ employees, including for the blood collectors in the countryside. T the same time, the amount of production of blood components has increased by an average of 60% compared to 2001, in some places even by 80-100%. On the other hand, the personnel involved in collecting, testing and processing the blood are constantly exposed to various infections. The present share of blood transmissible diseases is 8.5%. Other type of infections are also a risk, taking into consideration the constant contact with occasional donors, including relatives of the patients who need blood transfusion and who, unlike the registered donors, don’t have a medical record. The wages of the doctors and medical personnel at blood donation centers will be will be raised by 10% of the wages for each year of service. However, the highest increase will not exceed 40% of the wage.