GOVERNMENT has saluted blood donors around the country for playing a vital role in saving lives.
Groups from around the nation from as far as the Western Division and the Naitasiri Province gathered at Nabouwalu to celebrate World Blood Donor Day on Saturday.
In thanking kind donors, assistant Minister for Health Alexander O’Connor described the act of donors as kind and generous that helped save lives.
“It highlights the fundamental human values of selflessness, respect, empathy and kindness which underlines and sustain voluntary unpaid blood donation systems,” he said.
“To all blood donors, you are the epitome of love, hope and kindness, you have shown that with kindness and dedication we can be true for the silent work of saving lives.”
Mr O’Connor said Fiji had 17,000 blood donors and through increased awareness, the ministry planned to reach out and increase the number of blood donors.
“Blood transfusion helps save millions of lives every year,” he said.
“Last year, Fiji managed to reach 97.5 per cent of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation.
Fiji is targeting that by 2019 we will be able to reach 100 per cent.”
