A country with a population nearing almost 400,000, The Bahamas’ blood banks are at a critically low point, particularly the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) whose blood bank is operating in the deficit according to Dr. Duvaughn Curling, chief of transfusion medicine at PMH.

Speaking with reporters at a recent press conference, Dr. Curling gave insight to the urgent need of blood at the blood banks.

“Blood donations at the Princess Margaret Hospital remains critically low today as the registered request for blood largely outnumbers the percentage of blood donors to the hospital’s blood bank,” Dr. Curling said.

Calling for residents of the country to support blood drives, coordinated by Friends of the Blood Bank (FOTB), Dr. Curling gave a breakdown of how the requests for blood is higher than what PMH’s blood bank has in storage.

“In 2015, the total accepted donations to the blood bank were 3,954, while the requested donations were 12,487, and the requested components were 27,187,” Dr. Curling said.

“In 2015, the total number of new donors to the blood bank was 2,368, while repeat donors numbered 794.

“I think it is important for people to remember one pint of blood can save three lives.”

Fast track to two years later, and FOTB President Basil Christie, partners with representatives of PMH, and Doctors Hospital Blood Banks as well as with Bahamas Red Cross, One Blood and ALIV to organize blood drives and bring awareness to urgent need for blood donors.

“We are aware that many citizens want to give blood to save others lives, but it isn’t always convenient to come to the blood bank either at the Princess Margaret Hospital or Doctors Hospital.

“So, what Friends of the Blood Bank has been doing over the last two years is creating blood drives in different offices, and different banks, different organizations, we create blood drives in different locations.

“We create these opportunities for those in our community who see the need and the value for giving blood,” Mr. Christie said.

Mr. Christie further noted that because his organization recognizes the need, they remain open to conduct blood drives when the request is made.

“Throughout the course of the year, if you want us to come to your office, your service club, your church, [or] your school just contact either of the blood banks and we will come to you,” Mr. Christie said.

According to both Dr. Curling and Mr. Christie, a person can donate blood every eight weeks as regular blood donation is encouraged and welcomed at PMH Blood Bank.

FOTB conducted a Unity Blood Drive this past Saturday at the Mall at Marathon with a goal of collecting 250 units of blood.