By LARA PICKFORD-GORDON Saturday, March 26 2011

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SAUCY BLOOD: Nurse Adanna John (left) of the National Blood Transfusions Service, with the pint of blood just collected from Soca singer Denise 'Saucy...

WHILE there are no immediate plans yet, Health Minister Therese Baptiste-Cornelis yesterday said her ministry may have to examine whether there should be a payment system for certain rare blood types.

Speaking at the National Blood Transfusion Service on Charlotte Street in Port-of-Spain, Baptiste-Cornelis said in some US states persons who donated rare blood types were paid. “I cannot make such a major decision on that aspect, we are going to examine that.” However, she wanted to get the public “on board” with voluntary donations.

There have been reports of shortages of blood and surgeries being cancelled, Baptiste-Cornelis said. “There is less blood than there used to be and that is what some persons call a shortage because the system is not getting persons coming in as they used to.”

From January 1, the Health Ministry introduced a system of voluntary donations. Previously, persons donated blood when their families required surgery and chits were given to persons for the donations they made. Justin Sankar, ag Medical Lab Technician II, said there has been “fallout” with the change in policy. “We have lost over 500 units of blood per month as a result of the no chit system so we need to build up the reserves,” he said.

Baptiste-Cornelis said she wanted to get 500 more people to donate until those who stopped giving resumed their donations. The minister said if 50 persons gave blood daily there would be sufficient in stock. Blood can only be stored for 30 days. All Regional Health Authorities have been asked to supply the ministry with the number of pints of blood in stock. Baptiste-Cornelis said the chit system was exploited with persons charging $500 to $2,000 for one pint. “People have written me asking for assistance to buy blood,” Baptiste-Cornelis said. She said some blood donors felt cheated that they gave blood and had chits but could not access. “We are having talks and looking into it and the chief medical officer has come up with advice and we are looking into it.” The minister is to receive a full report on the blood donation system and if there is a return to a chit system she said “it will be properly managed and phased out.”

Duane Gonzales, operations manager of the Friends of the Blood Bank said approximately 45,000 pints of blood was needed to serve the TT population. He said approximately 22,000 were collected annually. “The supply has taken a hit with the new policy but we are still able to supply the country – but not as previously.”