Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital to conduct a Blood Donation Campaign tomorrow

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Sri Jayawardenapura General Hospital is conducting a Blood Donation Campaign on Sunday (26th of April), from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. "Given the prevailing COVID-19 epidemic situation as well as the preventive measures the government has taken, we see there is a challenge to collect adequate amounts of blood from the public," Dr. Lakshman Edirisinghe, Director of the National Blood Transfusion Service told News 1st on Saturday (25th April). Dr. Edirisinghe urged people who are qualified to donate blood, to come forward and participate in this collective effort. Dr. Edirisinghe empahsized that only those who did NOT travel overseas in the last three months, and those who do NOT show any symptoms of fever, cough and cold are considered as eligible donors. Making a special request to the public, Dr. Edirisinghe said "Please refrain from visiting the hospital to donate blood, if anyone shows symptoms of fever, flu or cough, and is suffering from illnesses," adding those only those who are healthy should donate blood. Interested blood donors are requested to contact the Branch of the National Blood Bank at the Sri Jayawardenapura General Hospital, via 011 277 8610 and extension 3037 to make an appointment to donate blood. "Upon placing the appointment, a text message will be sent with information of the appointment, which can be used as a curfew permit to travel to the Sri Jayawardenapura General Hospital," Dr. Edirisinghe told News 1st.