Ulcinj: Promotion of voluntary blood donation in Montenegro
On 10 Decenber 2014, the WHO Country Office in Montenegro, the Blood Institute of Montenegro and Municipality of Ucinj organized a joint event on the role of local self-government in the promotion of voluntary blood donation in Montenegro, as a part of the voluntary blood donation campaign in Montenegro carried out within the European Union (EU)/IPA project “Implementation of the European Blood Transfusion System in Montenegro” financed by the European Union and implemented by WHO/ Europe.
The vice president of Ulcinj municipality, Mr Safet Beci, expressed gratitude to all those who donated blood in Ulcinj during the blood drive held that day, noting that they serve as an example of kindness and solidarity.
Dr Gordana Rasovic, Director of the Blood Institute of Montenegro, emphasized that the intense work on health education and awareness raising on voluntary blood donation is of extreme significance since the level of voluntary blood donation response in Montenegro is lower than the percentage recommended by WHO. She congratulated the representatives of Ulcinj municipality for successful organization of the voluntary blood donation activity, which gathered 30 blood donors with the support of local blood donation clubs from Bar, Podgorica and Budva.
Miss Mina Brajovic, Head of the WHO Country Office in Montenegro pointed out that every fourth citizen of Montenegro requires blood at least once in their lifetime. “Voluntary blood donation is a responsibility of a whole society and each individual. It is a measure of our civic culture and awareness, telling us what kind of people we are, how urbane we are, how much of communal spirit we have.”
Mr Romain Boitard, representative of the EU Delegation in Montenegro stated that the EU provided financial support to the Ministry of Health of Montenegro to introduce and apply European blood transfusion standards in Montenegro, with support of WHO.
