MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Blood donation has long been deemed the altruistic act of giving without expecting anything in return. This selfless donation helps up to three patients at a time, in that whole blood collected from our donors is then divided into its components. There are other types of donations, however. As a service, we also collect, process, test and store corneas for transplantation.
It is the vision of the NBTS to evolve; and in the coming years, we have an ambitious project planned out to expand our current blood collection facility, and to introduce new services pertaining to the collection and banking of tissues and cells. As many may not be aware, our workforce is composed of a mix of specialities, from doctors and nurses (our front-facing teams) to medical laboratory scientists (our hidden gems), and everyone in between. It is this concerted effort that ensures the safety and sustainability of the Maltese blood supply.
However, we cannot operate without our main resource: our precious donors. Allow me to thank all our existing blood donors, for your generosity continues to save countless lives every day. For those who have still to find the courage to approach blood donation, I would like to assure you that it really is worth the needle prick. And for those who cannot donate, for whatever reason, you can still help by encouraging others to donate blood and perhaps even facilitate blood donation by organising groups or mobile donation sessions.
We look forward to welcoming you all at our various collection sites, so please lend us a hand by giving us your arm.
Dr Monique A Debattista
Medical Director | Responsible Person
MESSAGE FROM THE DONATION AREA CHARGE NURSE
The mission of the National Blood Transfusion Services is to provide an adequate, safe blood supply that satisfies the demand of local hospitals. Clinically, donated blood is mainly used for surgeries, major trauma cases, cancer patients requiring chemotherapy and thalassaemia patients. The lives of such patients largely depend on the generosity and continued support of blood donors.
The increasing demand for blood often offers the NBTS tough challenges to maintain adequate blood stocks albeit the generous donations from our donor pool. Statistically, it is a known fact that a large percentage of the healthy Maltese population does not give blood. Therefore, this is my message targeted to such persons. Do not wait for a personal experience to become aware that blood can save lives. Do not hesitate to come forward and donate blood. It is an altruistic deed, special for yourself and lifesaving to others.
I would like to end this message by thanking all blood donors and lapsed donors for their priceless, life-saving gifts of blood. I am also grateful for those persons who attempt to donate blood but are ineligible to do so.
Alexander Lautier
Charge Nurse
a/Manager Donation Services