ANZ Corporate Blood Drive

This is to ensure that they are up-to-date with screening and blood donation guidelines and have the right information to deal with any scenario during a blood drive.

Director of Corporate and Youth Blood Drives, Ms Anna Megueria says the staff training conducted by International SOS (ISOS) on clinical aspects of dealing with blood donations assists staff in maintaining their skills in looking after our donors during blood collection.

Initially started by St Johns, Port Moresby General Hospital since mid-last year has been spearheading the drive.

The drive delivers more than 50 precent of all blood donations to the PMGH Blood Bank.

As per the initiative, the CBD team visits organisations both government and non-government for volunteer blood donations.

Starting two years ago, the drive has collected about 4,000 to 5,000 bags yearly.

Nursing Officer Eddie David said the team daily gets about 50 bags but depending on the size of the organisation.

The issue is directly related to the shortage of blood donations that affect the treatment of many patients each day.

The patients cover everyone from all walks of life and all across PNG. The issue is a large one, but thankfully for PNG, there has been one lady that has taken up the challenge over the past three years to see that this trend change. Her name is Anna Megueria.