MVIL Claims Accounts Officer Mr. Cain Kak donating blood at the Port Moresby General Hospital Blood Bank Unit.

Several staff of Motor Vehicles Insurance Limited (MVIL) donated blood to support the Sir Brian Bell Centre for Transfusion Medicine on 7 March 2024.

The blood collected will be supplied to the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) Blood Bank Unit for people suffering from bleeding disorders, cancer, accident and trauma victims, general surgery, and obstetric complications. 

Sir Brian Bell Centre for Transfusion Medicine Operations Manager Ms. Xenia Peni said “the demand for blood is always high, exceeding supply, so we are encouraging business houses to support this initiative.” 

“In a year, we get around 30,000 requests from around the country. In the last three years, we collected 9,000-10,000 bags but 2023 was the highlight as we collected 12,500 bags. Donating one bag of blood can save three lives.”

Donated blood are screened for infectious diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis and Syphilis at the Sir Brian Bell Centre for Transfusion Medicine prior to being used.

Ms Peni acknowledged MVIL’s support in getting its staff to understand the importance of donating blood and for making arrangements for the donation.

MVIL staff Mr. Owen Meti and Mr. Cain Kak, who were first time donors, were glad to know that the blood they donated will go towards saving lives, and said they were more than happy to donate more during the year.

“I feel proud to have contributed to helping others in need and look forward to donating blood again in the future,” Mr Kak said.

Although people could donate blood after every three months, not everyone will be able to donate blood as each person must meet the standard health requirements before giving blood. 

Donating blood also benefits the donor as the person gets a free mini health check and giving blood enhances the production of new blood cells and reduces blood clotting, which causes heart attack and stroke.