The annual demand of blood in the country is nearly seven lakh bags and of the amount, only 26 percent blood is collected through voluntary blood donation.
Professor Dr ABM Yunus of the Hematology Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) disclosed this at a function in the city on Friday.
The Quantum Foundation arranged the function at the Jatiya Press Club to honour the blood donors, a press release of the organization said.
Finance Division Secretary Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury attended the ceremony as the chief guest, while Chief Coordinator of the Quantum Voluntary Blood Donation Programme Nahar Al Bokhari presided.
The finance division secretary termed blood donation as a humane quality, saying that the blood donors can also change the society. “The blood donors can not only donate blood, they can also change the society through this noble gesture,” he said.
Chowdhury also said those donate blood are fully patriotic and they have immense love for human beings. “This power of the voluntary blood donors is a pride for the nation and we will have to utilize it,” he added.
The finance division secretary said while scrutinizing volunteers, it should be taken into consideration whether they have “donor cards”.
At the function, over 150 people, who donated blood voluntarily for more than 25 times, were honoured with identity cards, crests and certificates.
To fulfill the huge demand of blood in the country, Prof Yunus said, the Quantum Foundation has been spearheading the blood donation campaign to increase awareness among the people since 1996.
“After the establishment of a laboratory in 2000, we’ve so far supplied 9,49, 345 units of blood,” he said.
