AN increase in the number of donors to the National Blood Bank at Yangon General Hospital in recent years has allowed the institution to become the primary source of blood to the nine government hospitals in Yangon, said Dr Thida Aung, the officer in-charge of the bank.

She said the nine hospitals require a total of nearly 3000 bottles of blood a year, with the blood bank supplying about 85 percent of that total and the remaining 15pc made up by contacting regular donors when hospitals need emergency supplies.

“In 2003 the National Blood Bank supplied 35pc of the required blood but now it supplies 85pc,” said Dr Thida Aung. “This is because there has been a big increase in the number of donors at the bank.”

She said there were 75 donor groups whose members gave blood on a regular basis, including groups from universities, religious organisations, businesses and communities. There are also about 40 individual donors every day.

The National Blood Bank has taped four television spots and has also distributed pamphlets to educate the public about blood donations, she said.

Anyone interested in donating blood can contact the National Blood Bank by telephone at 256-112, ext 868.