“I was on leave on that day, but I wanted to accompany my son who had agreed to contribute to our WHO initiative and to donate blood.  When I arrived and felt the vibrant atmosphere at the office, my heart said “Yes – do it, too!”, said Shamila, Programme Assistant at WHO country office, Mauritius.   Like Shamila, other staff from WHO country office, Resident UN Agencies and Embassies donated blood for the first time in their life on 16 June 2023 during the Blood Donation Day.  This activity was organized by the WHO country office in close collaboration with the National Blood Transfusion Service.

Among the many initiatives organized in Mauritius to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of the WHO, this blood donation was particular since WHO called all UN Agencies and Embassies in the country to join and give blood for the Mauritian people as a way to promote Health for All. 

“Friday 16 June 2023 was a very special and beautiful day at the WHO country office”, said Dr Ancia, the WHO Representative in Mauritius.  She added “friends, colleagues and members of the Development Partners Group came at the office since early morning to give blood – this was a very meaningful message to the country.”

 “Donating blood can seem like a small contribution to the country needs but it is a direct and concrete help to the many men, women and children who need blood in Mauritius,” said Dr A. Ancia 

Indeed, colleagues from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO) responded positively to the call to donate blood.  Many Embassies responded positively as well. Among the imminent personalities, His Excellency the High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mr Muhammad Arshad Jan Pathan; His Excellency, Mr  Satrajit Sardar, Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Mauritius and their staff.  The team of the High Commissioner of India joined the blood donation. The Honorable Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal and Mrs Devi Chand Anandi Rye Seewooruthun, Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Health and Wellness also decided to join the blood drive at WHO to show their support to the Initiative.

With the contribution of these generous donors, 34 pouches of blood were collected.  No words can sufficiently express the extend of appreciation of WHO to blood donors for their noble gesture.  The donation will contribute to save lives or address the suffering of people needing cardiac surgery, or suffering from leukemia or other type of blood cancer and even pregnant women who face acute hemorrhage during their partum.

At the end of the day, the whole WHO team was thrilled by this different approach to WHO’s mission to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable.  An additional word of thanks goes to the UNRC team who helped in making this activity a successful one.