Ministry of Health Encourages Blood Donation

By S.Browne. Updated 6:20 p.m., Monday, June 23, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment is calling on the citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to consider becoming blood donors as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the nation’s blood supply and save lives.

“One blood donor can save up to three lives. Blood donated is carefully processed and separated into its key components: red blood cells, plasma, and platelets; each used to treat different medical conditions.” the Ministry states. “Red blood cells are often given to surgical patients or those with injuries, plasma supports those patients with clotting disorders or burns, and platelets are vital for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. This means that one generous act can help a child in surgery, a mother during childbirth, and a cancer patient — all from a single unit of blood.”

The Ministry noted surgeries, accidents, emergency or scheduled caesarean sections and life-threatening medical conditions can be delayed or cancelled, with potentially disastrous outcomes, simply because insufficient blood is available at that critical moment.

As a result, Vincentians, aged 17 and 60 are being encouraged to step forward and schedule regular blood donations. These voluntary, year-round donors are essential to building a sustainable blood bank that ensures no family is left waiting in fear when every minute counts.

The Ministry outlined several ways the public can support the national blood supply: Become a regular donor by giving blood every three to four months to maintain a stable blood reserve; if you are registered as a donor and have not given blood in the past three months, visit the local blood bank at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital or at Modern Medical Diagnostic Center; pregnant persons or those planning for elective surgery are recommended to encourage at least three family members or friends to donate blood on their behalf ahead of their surgery or delivery or ⁠self donation.

For more information on how to become a regular donor, contact the Blood Banks Milton Cato at 456-1185 Ext: 4115 or The Modern Medical and Diagnostic Centre at 532-1200 Ext: 4386.