David McIntosh Shares Kiran Verma’s Message – Funding, Not Willing Donors, Is the Missing Link

David McIntosh, Founder and Chair of United Plasma Action, shared a post by Kiran Verma on LinkedIn:

”INVESTMENT NEEDED TO SAVE LIVES
This post from stalwart blood campaigner Kiran Verma is aimed at his home country of India, but it could just as well apply to any one of a hundred other countries.

Blood shortages kill millions of people, globally, almost all in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC).
This daily suffering and death is easily avoidable if only blood shortages can be dealt with and eliminated.
Kiran’s message is crystal clear – and bang on point – but it’s main thrust only includes half the story.

In the High Income Countries of this World (HIC) donor recruitment and retention are indeed prominent issues. All the other key ingredients of basic blood collection, processing and delivery systems in HIC are usually already well established and well financed.

However, in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC) the key problem is not inadequate DONATION.
It’s inadequate COLLECTION.

Without taking anything away from Kiran’s valient campaigning, the further point that would complete his message – and the agenda of all who seek better availability of blood supplies for patients in need – is that basic human generosity is not the key ingredient that’s missing. In the LMIC parts of our World, the two ingredients that most often need enhancement are –
– the necessary governmental and national willpower and COMMITMENT
and
– the INVESTMENT and on-going funding required to deliver the necessary results.

In any nation in the LMIC category, we could gather as long a queue of willing would-be donors as anyone could hope for and still be badly short of blood – unless, in parallel, we put in the necessary collection infrastructure and capability.

Kiran Verma’s message is still spot-on. The LMIC World does need MORE BLOOD DONORS!
However, the top priority need is for more well-funded, well-staffed COLLECTORS – and the infrastructure, equipment and ongoing revenue finance to keep the complete vein-to-vein cycle in a healthy vibrant condition.

With unity of purpose and a united voice, campaigners like Kiran can, and WILL, achieve their life-saving goals – if only national and local Authorities in the LMIC nations give them the practical support they need.”

Quoting Kiran Verma’s post:

”Hey YOU, yes you… reading this post

Do you know everyday more than 12,000 people dies waiting for blood in India?

Every single day

That’s just because there aren’t enough blood donors and our country 🇮🇳 needs 4 million more donors.

Which is not even 1% of Indian population.

I walked twice 6,000 kms and 21,433 kms for the awarness of blood donation.

13 blood banks started because of these efforts and more than 200,000 people donated blood to support the cause.

Now I can’t walk or donate blood, because of my health issues.

But YOU CAN

You can pick any date and give blood to save lives.

OR just talk about it and inspire others to be a changemaker.

OR simply make an appeal OR just repost this.

I know I can’t change the situation as a person, but if every single person talks about it things will change.

Hope you all understand and encourage others to change.”

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