12 May 2018
AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS TO REPORTEDLY STOP FUNDING THE SIRC RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL THREAT TO LOCAL BLOOD SUPPLIES
The Solomon Islands Red Cross (SIRC) Voluntary Non-Renumerated Blood Donation Programme is a national live saving program. The programme is currently working in partnership with the SI Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
Under the 2017-2020 strategy, the goal is to provide safe and adequate blood supplies in Honiara, Auki and Gizo with the objective of reaching eighty percent (80%) blood donations voluntarily all unremunerated.
In recent years until the 2017-2018 financial year, the programme funding came from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Australian Red Cross (ARC).
Unfortunately, because the current funding source will cease by end of this Financial Year on 30 June 2018 and the local Red Cross Society will then be in a very difficult position to support its national life saving programme from the end of June
Given the financial situation of the National Society, the SIRC will not be able to afford to take on the responsibility for its hitherto national life saving programme and, as a consequence, the Blood Bank at the National Referral Hospital will be in a very difficult and critical position over blood supplies given that the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society might have to close down this national life saving programme due to funding difficulties.
For the past decades, SIRCS staff and volunteers contributed enormously in pursuit of blood collections and donations.
Today, the society has reached a milestone in the success of the programme with 100% voluntarily donation and unremunerated.
The SIRC has seen the importance of their national program over many years but to have their programme cease will mean risking the lives of mothers and children and all who are in critical need of blood.
It matters most to the SRCS to save lives. The service the society has done until now is living testimonies for many people in the Solomon Islands.
Because of the importance of the SIRC programme and the critical service it provides nationwide, the ultimate goal is to ensure it remains operational.
Simply, however, the SIRC needs to cover the costs of its operation.
Your helping hands will help us saves lives.
Please will you consider donating to the SIRC to keep the programme alive and save lives?
If you will help, and I really hope you will please contact the Secretary General, Solomon Islands Red Cross Society by telephone, letter or by email.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
