Around 30 top blood banks to be opened countrywide

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Around 30 new fully-fledged blood banks will be opened countrywide soon. A new electronic card introduced among blood donors will help get their details and contact them when the need arises, Blood Bank director Dr Ananda Gunasekara said.

"Sri Lanka will also carry out bone marrow transplants soon with the advancement of new technologies at the National Blood Bank," he said at the World Blood Donors Day celebrations at the National Blood Centre, Colombo yesterday.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said there are some people in this world who earn billions but do not donate a cent to a beggar, but in Sri Lanka, there are noble human beings who have donated blood over 100 times.

"People who are willing to donate blood can be named as noble human beings. All health staff in the blood bank do a service than a job," the minister said.

"After Sri Lanka achieved permanent peace, people lost interest in donating blood because of the lack of knowledge. They think that there is no need of blood. There is still a need for blood," Sirisena said.

Health Ministry secretary Dr. Ravindra Ruberu and Prof. Carlo Fonseka were also present. A new electronic card produced with the assistance of Nations Trust Bank was launched at the ceremony.