Celebration of World Blood Donor Day

14 Jun 2006

By Mr Heng Chee How, Minister of State for Health

Associate Professor Phua Kai Hong

Vice Chairman

Singapore Red Cross

Dr Diana Teo

Director, Centre for Transfusion Medicine

Health Sciences Authority

Distinguished Guests, Blood Donors, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening.

I am pleased to be here to celebrate World Blood Donor Day with you. This is a very special occasion as we thank you, our blood donors for your contribution in helping to save lives.

At the World Health Assembly in May 2005, health ministers from around the world declared their support to voluntary non-remunerated blood donation.  They passed a resolution designating World Blood Donor Day as an annual event to be held on 14 June to recognise blood donors for their gift of blood.  This day also aims to raise awareness on the need for safe blood, and to encourage current and potential donors to donate regularly.

The overarching theme of World Blood Donor Day 2006 is "Ensuring Universal Access to Safe Blood".  This strongly reinforces the need to ensure that safe blood is always available to those who need it.  Your commitment enables us to help all in need of blood will not be made vulnerable. 

Blood donation is about people helping people.  As visible in this evening's event, all of you have come together in this symbolic action of "building lives and connecting communities" thorough this beautiful sandcastle city.  We are happy that your friends and families are here to join in this celebration.

I am also very encouraged to see the strong participation of community groups, schools, hospitals, and companies in making this event a success.  We trust that you will continue to encourage more people to sign on to be blood donors.  It is especially heartening for me to learn that the youth blood donors have spearheaded this national event and worked hard over the many weekends to make this event possible.  I congratulate you for your efforts.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Centre for Transfusion Medicine of the Health Sciences Authority for being the first national blood service in the Asia Pacific region to achieve the AABB accreditation.  AABB accreditation for blood banking and transfusion medicine is the designation of choice worldwide as it demonstrates a blood bank's commitment to advanced learning, continuous improvement and innovation by striving to sustain the highest possible levels of patient and donor care.  AABB-accredited organizations are recognized by their peers as leaders in the field.  This is a significant achievement which reflects the world class standard of our Bloodbank@HSA.

In closing, I would like to I would like to thank all the blood donors for your gift-of-life.  Each and every one of you has made a special difference in someone's life.  Thank you.