Blood donated locally has to be tested in PR- BVIHSA - said blood ordered from Puerto Rico costs $1,800 per unit

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- One of the major projects of the Rotary Club of Tortola in the current Rotary year is to improve and upgrade the blood bank and storage facilities at Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital.

There is currently not a full-fledged blood bank at the territory’s main hospital to meet the needs of its patients, including accident victims, cancer patients or individuals who are seriously ill and need blood transfusions.

Ms Devye Nicholson, Laboratory Manager at the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), speaking as a guest speaker at the Club’s luncheon meeting on September 15, 2022, said blood donated to Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital must be sent to Puerto Rico for testing and preparation before it can be administered to patients.