By Desmond Lewis
The annual World Blood Donor Day, celebrated globally on June 14th, is a vital event organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and health ministries to raise awareness about the need for safe blood and blood products. The occasion also serves to express gratitude to voluntary blood donors for their life-saving contributions. This year’s theme, “Give Blood, Give Hope – Together We Save Lives,” aimed to encourage more individuals to join the movement of voluntary and unpaid blood donation.
However, Sierra Leone did not participate in honoring its blood donors alongside other nations. This omission has drawn criticism from stakeholders within the voluntary blood donation sector, particularly from Patrick J. Massaquoi, Secretary-General of the Sierra Leone Voluntary Blood Donors Association. In an exclusive interview, Massaquoi expressed his disappointment, stating that “stakeholders and agencies have decided to drop voluntary blood donors in the trash box.”
Massaquoi further emphasized the lack of recognition given to voluntary blood donors compared to others in society. “Coconut sellers have received AWOL awards, and outstanding Sierra Leoneans have been honored with presidential awards, yet voluntary blood donors have not been acknowledged—not even with a symbolic token,” he lamented. He called on all donors to stand up and advocate for their rightful place in the country’s humanitarian efforts.
Despite the lack of official recognition, the head of the Cottage Blood Bank, Osman Kargbo, extended his appreciation to donors. In a WhatsApp message, he praised the generosity and selflessness of voluntary blood donors, stating, “Your act of giving sustains life and breathes hope into mothers, children, accident survivors, surgical patients, and many more. You are the heartbeat of our healthcare system.” Kargbo encouraged donors to continue their efforts, emphasizing that their contributions inspire others to strengthen the national blood supply.
Meanwhile, the country’s only hematologist at the blood bank, Professor Sahr Moses Givao, revealed in a telephone interview that he had not received any official communication or funding regarding World Blood Donor Day from the Ministry of Health.
With these sentiments echoing throughout the voluntary blood donor community, it remains to be seen whether authorities will acknowledge and support these unsung heroes in the future. For now, their contributions, though invaluable, continue to go unnoticed by the nation’s leadership.