Wheeler: 'Fewer people donating blood because of covid19'

Scarborough General Hospital Medical Chief of Staff Dr Victor Wheeler believes the covid19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem of low blood supply in Tobago.

“Nationally, bloodstock in all hospitals has been low for a long time. Tobago is no different,” he said. “Because of covid19, it seems fewer persons are coming forward to give blood and it makes our bloodstock low.”

Saying TT does not have enough voluntary donors, Wheeler said covid19 has apparently made the situation worse. He said low blood supply has already affected some elective surgeries.

Ideally, Wheeler said 3,000 units should be donated annually in Tobago but the island receives fewer than 1,000.

“Nationally, 20,000 units are donated annually, when it should be 60,000.”

To address the problem, the Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development has started a public awareness campaign, highlighting the importance of donating blood. The campaign, Be A Hero: It’s In Your Blood, began on Friday and ends on December 31.