Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has called for greater participation from young people in blood donation efforts, as the Maldives continues to fall short of the World Health Organization (WHO)’s recommended target.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the Maldives National University to mark World Blood Donor Day, the Minister highlighted the importance of building a strong culture of regular blood donation.

According to WHO guidelines, at least one per cent of a country’s population should donate blood regularly to maintain an adequate national supply, a target the Minister noted the Maldives has not yet reached.

The Health Minister stressed that boosting the number of donors is especially critical given the country’s high demand for blood. Thalassemia patients alone require approximately 900 pints of blood every month, while an additional 1,400 pints are needed for other medical treatments.

In addition, Minister Nazim highlighted the launch of a partnership with 24 higher education institutions as a key component of this year’s World Blood Donor Day celebrations, aimed at raising awareness and promoting regular blood donation among students.

The Minister requested college and universities, with whom the Government recently signed agreements, to actively work towards increasing the number of blood donors. He emphasised that such efforts would help young people understand the importance of blood donation and contribute to building a more compassionate and healthier society.

Meanwhile, the Maldives Blood Services continues to encourage voluntary donors to give blood every three months, as part of a broader strategy to ensure a stable and sustainable blood supply.