Forty-two personnel from the MRC have donated blood to the RVTH in Banjul. The donation is part of a partnership between the MRC and RVTH aiming to help those who are in need of assistance.

In her opening remarks at the event the Chief Medical Director of the hospital Dr Mariatou Jallow thanked the MRC on behalf of the hospital board. She said that the donation of blood is of enormous benefit to people especially children and pregnant women. She added that this is particularly true when they are suffering from malaria.

According to Dr Jallow donating blood is extremely important and that blood stored at the RVTH is not for sale but given out for free. She further added that the highest percentage of blood donations come from the security forces.

The Chief Medical Director also used the opportunity to call on the general public to come out in large numbers and participate in the donation process. At the moment demand for blood is very high but supplies are very low.

She thanked the MRC staff for their donations and urged the MRC medical board to mobalise more staff to join the growing number who already gave blood. 

For his part the unit Director at MRC Dr. Tumani Corrah said that they were very proud to be donating blood at a time when it was so badly needed.

Dr Corrah went on to say that the Medical Research council will continue to work hand in hand with the Gambian government noting that the MRC and the government already have a strong partnership.

Other speakers at the event included Isatou Jallow Deputy Programme Manager at the National Unit and Abdoulie Cham PRO at the MRC. Both expressed similar sentiments.