The Ministry of Health has launched a new initiative to digitise statistical data from all blood service centres across the Maldives. The announcement was made by the Minister of Health, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, at a special ceremony held at the Maldives National University (MNU) on the occasion of Wold Blood Donor Day.
The Ministry of Health said the Ministry has started digitising the monthly data on blood donors. This will enable the identification of the volume of blood donated, donor age groups, situations where large volumes of blood are required as well as the regions with the greatest demand for blood. Maintaining such statistics will facilitate evidence-based formulation of blood service policies, the Ministry said.
The Ministry of Health also revealed plans to adopt the latest testing methods to ensure the safety of donated blood. The Ministry has also decided to establish and implement the new ‘Donor Collection Criteria’ in September this year.
As part of the ceremony, an agreement was signed with the unions of several colleges and universities to conduct blood donation drives and awareness programmes. The agreement was signed by Minister Nazim on behalf of the government. Participating institutes include the Maldives National University, Islamic University of the Maldives (IUM), Villa College, Island Institution of Education, Zikura International College and Maldives Business School.
Minister Nazim also officially launched a collaborative blood donation campaign with these institutions as part of the ceremony.