in-cyprus 26 March 2020 - Josephine Koumettou
The Blood Bank issued on Wednesday another urgent plea to volunteers for blood donations amid shortages faced due to the Covid-19 crisis.
“At this difficult time for our country and humanity as a whole, the Blood Bank staff is calling on everyone to donate appealing to their sentiments of love, solidarity and altruism,” the announcement said.
“In its lockdown decree, the government has provided an exception for the movement of people for the purpose of donating blood (text 8998 with option 1 or fill in the relevant form).
“This alone demonstrates the urgent need to ensure the uninterrupted flow of blood donors and the continued supply of blood, which is vital to many of our fellow human beings, including patients at surgical tables, the injured, patients with thalassemia, patients in child oncology wards, haematology wards and many others.
“The Blood Bank staff is prepared in the front line, in full awareness of their responsibility, to receive blood donors, always taking all the recommended hygiene and safety measures announced by the government for Covid-19.
“On Tuesday March 24 we recorded the lowest donation rate in the entire history of blood donations in our country. For many hours we had no new registrations of blood donors in our system.
“But we can reverse this development proving once more our sensitivity to blood donations as a nation. You can help now by filling in the required movement form or send an SMS to donate. The blood donations schedule can be found on our Facebook page Cyprus Blood Establishment.”
It is reminded that people who travelled abroad in the last 28 days, people with flu symptoms or any clinically proven respiratory illness and people who have come into contact with a suspect or confirmed Covid-19 case should not donate blood.
Donation stations currently in operation: [PLEASE DO NOT GO TO PAPHOS GENERAL HOSPITAL TO DONATE IN PAPHOS]
Nicosia: Engomi Health Centre
Limassol: Church of St George of Havouza
Larnaca: Former Famagusta Coop bank premises, Arch. Kyprianou Avenue
Paphos: Church of Apostolos Pavlos and Varnavas, Ellados Street
Famagusta: Church of Virgin Mary (Panayias), Liopetri
Blood Bank contact telephone: 22 809098
This week’s donation schedule:
Thursday March 26:
Nicosia: 7:30 am – 8 pm
Limassol: 7:30 am – 8 pm
Larnaca:10 am to 5.30 pm
Paphos: 10 am to 5.30 pm
Famagusta: 9:30am to 5 pm at station and 5.30 pm – 7.30 pm at St George Church in Paralimni
Friday March 27:
Nicosia: 7:30 am – 8 pm
Limassol: 7:30 am – 8 pm
Larnaca:10 am to 5.30 pm
Paphos: 10 am to 5.30 pm
Saturday March 28:
Nicosia: 7:30 am – 8 pm
Sunday March 29:
Limassol: at Palodia community council from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
It was added that registered blood donors will be contacted by text to avoid crowding.
