Mobile Unit for Blood Collection

Background

Our Rotary Club has established a Blood Donation Center located downtown in the City of David, Chiriquí Province.

This Center is jointly managed by the Blood Banks of the Rafael Hernández Regional Hospital and the José Domingo de Obaldía Maternal and Child Hospital, both serving the Chiriquí province and neighboring provinces.

However, there is still a need for a higher volume of donors to meet the requirements of these hospitals.

Description

This project aims to purchase and equip a bus as a mobile blood collection unit to serve the entire Chiriquí Province. The unit will help in collecting blood donations efficiently, addressing the critical need in local hospitals for blood supplies. Hospitals are committed to the vehicle’s maintenance, fuel, annual licensing, insurance, and staffing.

Objectives

• Equip a Mobile Blood Collection Unit: Purchase and outfit a bus as a mobile unit with essential facilities like stretchers, furniture, air conditioning, and a power plant to serve the Chiriquí Province.
• Increase Blood Donations: Significantly boost the number of blood donations to meet the demands of two major hospitals in the province.
• Promote Blood Donation Culture: Foster a widespread culture of blood donation across the province, focusing on the safety, importance, and altruistic nature of voluntary blood donation.
• Outreach and Education: Utilize the mobile unit for educational campaigns to dispel myths about blood donation and encourage regular voluntary contributions.

Justification

A vehicle would enable the inclusion of donors from across the province, reaching areas with potential donors.

It will also play a crucial role in dispelling myths about blood donation. As the unit travels throughout the province, it would actively contribute to raising awareness about the importance and safety of blood donation.

This initiative will foster a culture of donation, emphasizing the altruistic act of voluntary contribution. By directly engaging with communities, the mobile unit can educate and encourage more people to become regular donors, thereby significantly enhancing the blood supply for those in need.

Location

The Blood Donation Center in David, a initiative of our Club is strategically located in the city center. The mobile unit will be based at this location, and it will travel throughout the province.

Beneficiaries

This initiative will potentially serve more than 470,000 residents and handle up to 600 extra donors per month.

Expected Outcomes

• Expanded Donor Reach: The mobile unit will enable the inclusion of donors from across the province, reaching remote and underserved areas with potential donors.
• Awareness and Myth Dispelling: Through its province-wide travels, the unit will play a key role in raising awareness and dispelling myths about blood donation, emphasizing its safety and importance.
• Enhanced Blood Supply: By educating and encouraging more people to become regular donors, the initiative will significantly increase the blood supply available for those in need.
• Community Engagement: The direct engagement with communities will foster a strong culture of voluntary blood donation.
• Increased Donor Numbers: The initiative aims to handle up to 600 additional donors per month, potentially serving over 470,000 residents in the province.

Sustainability

Hospitals are committed to the vehicle’s maintenance, fuel, annual licensing, insurance, and staffing.

Budget

The total budget for the project is USD 118,000.

Join the Lifeline

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