The Myanmar Red Cross Society initiated blood donation activities in 1961 and has been implementing regular blood donor activities since. The MRCS supports the national blood and blood product law (enacted in January 2003) to save patient lives through blood transfusions of quality assured blood and blood products and to prevent transfusion transmissible infections through the promotion of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation. (VRBD)

MRCS commitment to VNRBD is exhibited through the formation of a working committee, training of over 150 RCVs in blood donor recruitment, promotion of youth blood donor groups, supply of supportive materials such as cold storage facilities to the National Blood Service and general community awareness campaigns. MRCS is a regular member of the South East Asia Regional Blood Workshops and hosted the 4th Regional Blood Workshop in 2006.

Components and Activities

Specific Objective
MRCS contributes to improving the amount of safe blood available in Myanmar through increased recruitment and retention of voluntary non-remunerated blood donors.

Activities
Advocacy and coordination with RC Branches (particular emphasis upon youth), National Blood Program and volunteer blood donor associations.
- Training of RCVs in blood donor recruitment
- Community awareness and communication of the need for safe donated blood
- Social mobilization
- Monitoring of branch activities and annual review of blood donor activities
- 11 Red Cross Blood Donation Teams were organized at Branches and Universities

Target beneficiaries
- New and existing blood donors, RCVs and the general public
- Patients who need blood and blood products

Timeline
1961 - 2010 (greater emphasis of activities 2005 onwards)

Target Areas (location)
- Yangon Division, Mandalay Divisions and Kachin State, Colleges and Universities
- Blood donation activities in all branches

Partners
Funding – IFRC

Collaborative – DoH, National Blood Centre

Trained RCVs
218 RCV