June 15, 2010: A day could be reserved for parliamentarians to donate blood, but I wonder whether the patients in hospitals would start screaming refusing that blood,” said Maithirpala Sirisena, Minister of Health yesterday.
He was expressing his views at an event at the National Blood Transfusion Centre in Narahenpita to mark the World Blood Donor Day. The global campaign focused on young donors with the slogan 'New Blood For The World'.
“Let's introduce an annual calendar for blood donations. I propose that the first day of the year should be assigned to parliament.
“There are 225 ministers and parliamentarians and close to 3,000 staff members attached to the parliament. Let's give one more day to the presidential secretariat. Another day could be dedicated to the ministries.
“I wonder whether the patients would be terrified when they are told that they would be getting blood donated by parliamentarians. I'm somewhat scared about the thought. However, we are well aware that there are suitable as well as unsuitable blood,” said Minister Sirisena amidst peals of laughter.
A national education exhibition also took place concurrent to the World Blood Donor Day and blood donors and officials who rendered a yeomen service on behalf of the field were presented with mementos.
An electronic card was also introduced to donors with rare blood types.
