The Regional Secretary for Health announced today the creation of a Regional Blood Network to promote a better coordination among regional blood banks.
 
"We are committed to creating a Regional Blood Network so that the three hospitals may improve coordination efforts and adopt common procedures, thus rendering physical and human resources and equipment profitable," said Rui Luís. He spoke on the sidelines of the celebrations of the National Blood Donation Day.
 
These celebrations were promoted by the Haematology Service of Divino Espírito Santo Hospital which is the only certified service with training accreditation in Haematology.
 
The government official also announced the launch of a campaign to raise awareness among young people, calling for the importance of donating blood.
 
"We intend to move forward with a campaign coordinated with hospitals, associations and blood donor federations throughout the Region. It will involve the organisation of various initiatives to raise the awareness of people for blood donation, especially among young people," said Rui Luís.
 
The Regional Secretary noted that the hospital's blood reserves are within acceptable parameters, revealing that 3,500 donations were made last year for a record of about 5,000 donors.
 
"Our concern is to secure new donors in the future because we find that the age group between 18 and 34 is the one where there is less adherence to blood donations," said the government official.
 
Blood donation is also carried out by brigades that travels to several places. In this context, Rui Luís emphasised the importance of these brigades and coordination among hospitals and health centres.
 
With regard to Horta Hospital, the visits of brigades to health centres on the island of Pico take place every two months.
 
At the ceremony marking the National Blood Donation Day, the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital honoured 26 institutions and companies that collaborate in blood donation. The Regional Secretary thanked and praised the commitment of companies and blood donors in the campaigns to promote blood donations.