More blood collection points will be opened this year

Twenty-five blood collection points will be opened on the World Blood Donor Day this year, a larger number than last year. There will be held public events and contests in the municipalities of Balti and Chisinau and in the districts of Floresti, Ocnita, Soroca, Ceadar-Lunga, Taraclia, Calarasi and others, officials of the Ministry of Health said Friday in a news conference, Info-Prim Neo reports. “The blood is not water and we must inform the people about the collection process so that they want to come to the blood collection points,” said Minister of Health Vladimir Hotineanu. According to the head of the National Blood Transfusion Center Svetlana Cebotari, about 80,000 persons donated blood last year and the needs of the national healthcare sector were satisfied. About 22% of the blood was donated voluntarily. The residents of Chisinau can donate blood in the following places: Centru district, UNIC Department Store; Botanica district, Independence Square, 18/1 Independentei St; Ciocana district, the square in front of the Ciocana district head's office; Rascani district, the National Trade Unions' Palace; Buiucani district, Flacara Cinema Theater, between 10.00 – 14.00. “We call on the population to be active and not be afraid as the blood regenerates quickly,” said Ion Corcimaru, specialist in hematology and transfusion. The public blood collection event is organized by the Ministry of Heath, the National Blood Transfusion Center and the Center for Health Policy and Analysis. There are about 6,000 voluntary donors at present. The World Blood Donor Day is marked on June 14. This year, the related events will take place on Sunday, June 13, as it is more convenient.