We are of the same blood
Self… Self-isolation, self-safety, self-defense, self-distance. Over the past few weeks, this "self" has become the leitmotif of our existence (survival?). The human galaxy is split into atoms, and life is now only in self-orbits. It is said that this "self" saves, but for some of us it may acquire antonymous meaning. For example, in the blood donor system - the recipient, without the help of the first the second has no chance of survival. This is not about breaking the rules or being excluded from them, this is about healthy altruism, which is much more useful than thoughtless (soulless?) Isolation.
The situation with blood donation is currently critical. Blood centers across the country are literally bloodless. There has always been a shortage, but now it is a total SOS signal. After all, the virus is a virus, but other diseases have not disappeared, and there are pregnant women, cancer patients, patients in operations, victims of disasters.
It is impossible to accumulate a reserve amount of donor blood in advance, because this biological material is stored for an average of no more than two weeks, and some of its components - many times less. Continuity of admission is a key factor in the work of blood centers.
According to Oksana Mulyarchuk , deputy director of the Kyiv City Blood Center, the number of donors has tripled.
"Earlier, the center could form a weekly supply of blood. This is under conditions when 150-200 donors came to us every day. Today, about 50 come, and at the beginning of quarantine - less than 10. With such a large number of donors, the formation of a blood bank takes only a few days. All through fear. People are afraid of getting coronavirus through blood or while in a hospital. However, you should not be afraid, because the coronavirus is not transmitted through the blood, and the center of the blood is intensively disinfected. All medical staff must be in masks, gloves, goggles. There are disinfectants on each floor, ie at each stage a person can treat his hands. In all possible locations where it is possible to avoid contact with the human body, be sure to follow the distance. Also, after each donor visit, the chair on which the person was sitting is treated., - Mulyarchuk emphasizes .
The number of donors has decreased due to several factors.
"Many of those who donate blood regularly are currently seasonally suffering from SARS, or have just fallen ill and will not be able to be donors in the next month," explains Yaroslav Novosyolov . a public activist, donor and founder of Kyiv’s own donor base.. - Others do not have access to blood centers due to quarantine restrictions due to lack of own car, and not everyone knows about the possibility of free transportation of donors to Kyiv City Blood Center and back home by transport provided by the Kyiv City State Administration, or through promo codes for donors in certain taxi services through the agreement of certain charitable foundations or organizations. Of course, there are also those who are scared of leaving the house because of the coronavirus, and even more so where there can theoretically be crowds of people. This can also be avoided by registering in advance for blood donation by phone or online on the center’s website. There is no risk of infection in blood centers. Maybe tomorrow your "portion of life" will save someone. All patients with diseases of the cardiovascular system need donor blood components,».
The Ministry of Health and the Center for Public Health claim that donating blood during quarantine is safe. The main thing is to follow all the rules of protection (distance, gloves, mask, hand disinfection).
Except for Kyiv, absolutely all blood centers in all regions of Ukraine have an acute shortage of donated blood!
"Donation is our social responsibility to each other. Just as we now wear masks or gloves, we wash and treat our hands - first of all we do it not for ourselves, but for the people around us. If you do leave home, do it to save others, ”the Blood Center added.
Author Kateryna Stebelska
Read also: Telemedicine - treatment online
The situation with blood donation is currently critical. Blood centers across the country are literally bloodless. There has always been a shortage, but now it is a total SOS signal. After all, the virus is a virus, but other diseases have not disappeared, and there are pregnant women, cancer patients, patients in operations, victims of disasters.
It is impossible to accumulate a reserve amount of donor blood in advance, because this biological material is stored for an average of no more than two weeks, and some of its components - many times less. Continuity of admission is a key factor in the work of blood centers.
According to Oksana Mulyarchuk , deputy director of the Kyiv City Blood Center, the number of donors has tripled.
"Earlier, the center could form a weekly supply of blood. This is under conditions when 150-200 donors came to us every day. Today, about 50 come, and at the beginning of quarantine - less than 10. With such a large number of donors, the formation of a blood bank takes only a few days. All through fear. People are afraid of getting coronavirus through blood or while in a hospital. However, you should not be afraid, because the coronavirus is not transmitted through the blood, and the center of the blood is intensively disinfected. All medical staff must be in masks, gloves, goggles. There are disinfectants on each floor, ie at each stage a person can treat his hands. In all possible locations where it is possible to avoid contact with the human body, be sure to follow the distance. Also, after each donor visit, the chair on which the person was sitting is treated., - Mulyarchuk emphasizes . The number of donors has decreased due to several factors.
"Many of those who donate blood regularly are currently seasonally suffering from SARS, or have just fallen ill and will not be able to be donors in the next month," explains Yaroslav Novosyolov . a public activist, donor and founder of Kyiv’s own donor base.. - Others do not have access to blood centers due to quarantine restrictions due to lack of own car, and not everyone knows about the possibility of free transportation of donors to Kyiv City Blood Center and back home by transport provided by the Kyiv City State Administration, or through promo codes for donors in certain taxi services through the agreement of certain charitable foundations or organizations. Of course, there are also those who are scared of leaving the house because of the coronavirus, and even more so where there can theoretically be crowds of people. This can also be avoided by registering in advance for blood donation by phone or online on the center’s website. There is no risk of infection in blood centers. Maybe tomorrow your "portion of life" will save someone. All patients with diseases of the cardiovascular system need donor blood components,».
The Ministry of Health and the Center for Public Health claim that donating blood during quarantine is safe. The main thing is to follow all the rules of protection (distance, gloves, mask, hand disinfection).
Except for Kyiv, absolutely all blood centers in all regions of Ukraine have an acute shortage of donated blood!
"Donation is our social responsibility to each other. Just as we now wear masks or gloves, we wash and treat our hands - first of all we do it not for ourselves, but for the people around us. If you do leave home, do it to save others, ”the Blood Center added.
Author Kateryna Stebelska
Read also: Telemedicine - treatment online