The 3rd edition of World Blood Donor Day was launched in Yaounde I University.

Students of the University of Yaounde I, yesterday, June 14, donated blood to the University Teaching Hospital, CUSS, and the Yaounde Central Hospital. The event which took place at the university campus, marked the 3rd edition of the World Blood Donor Day. "Commitment to Ensure Universal Access to Safe Blood", was the theme of this year's celebration.

The pines of blood voluntarily donated by the students will later on be screened for HIV, hepatitis B and C and other venereal diseases.

The representative from the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Obounou Akong, encouraged the students to voluntarily donate blood because they could unknowingly save the life of somebody. He also encouraged them to go for voluntary HIV screening.

According to a message from the Regional Director, WHO Regional Office for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, the World Blood Donor Day is meant to recognise the efforts of voluntary blood donors. The message also states that the day highlights the significance of voluntary non remunerated blood donations in the provision of adequate and safe blood supplies.

Dr Sambo's message stated that, encouraging voluntary blood donation is one of the objectives of the Blood Safety Strategy for the African Region adopted by the Ministers of Public Health during the 51st session of the regional committee held in Brazzaville in 2001. He stated the need to collect enough blood and to make it available for patients. This, he said, is more acute in developing countries and particularly in Africa. Women and children , he said die of blood shortage or are infected when transfused with unsafe blood.

To all blood donors, the Director said they constitute the backbone of blood transfusion services. "Little can be achieved without your contribution, through your precious gift, the gift of life". He called on those who are healthy and eligible to freely donate blood to save more lives. He said the WHO Regional Office for Africa in collaboration with country offices, headquarters and all other partners, will continue to provide the necessary support for developing policies, strategies, plans and materials to build up reliable and effective blood transfusion services based on voluntary non remunerated blood donations. "It is only through everyone's commitment to voluntary blood donation that universal access to safe blood can be ensured", he said.