Message on World Blood Donor Day 2020

Jun 14, 2020

Today we commemorate World Blood Donor Day by celebrating the life and legacy of the late Dr. Waveney Charles, this nation’s first registered haemotologist. Over the course of her remarkable career, Dr. Charles pioneered the diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders, saving the lives of countless people, including many children living with sickle cell, haemophilia and thalassemia. The Guyanese-born Dr Charles was a warmly adopted daughter of our soil, dedicating her life to improving and enhancing this nation’s blood bank capacity and transforming attitudes towards blood donation. In her memory, and in keeping with the premise of World Blood Donor Day, let us redouble our efforts to promote the importance of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation and applaud those altruistic individuals who regularly provide this life-saving service.

Blood supply is an integral part of any healthcare system and is especially critical for emergency treatment, surgical procedures and maternal and perinatal care. Although the need for blood and blood products is constant, and often arises suddenly, people are usually inclined to donate only when they are directly affected. Trinidad and Tobago currently punches well below its weight when it comes to blood donation with just over 20,000 units donated annually, well short of the 65,000 units recommended for the size of our population.

An irregular and reactionary system of blood donation hinders the ability of hospitals to perform life-saving procedures and constrains them from taking appropriate action in times of crisis. Restricted mobility during the Novel Coronavirus pandemic has caused fewer persons to donate blood, however, patients continue to require urgent treatment. This fall-off in donations puts further strain on our already deficient blood stock. We must all recognize that giving blood is part of our patriotic duty, and shows that we stand in solidarity with our fellow countrymen.

As we emerge from this period of stay-home, let us all play our part in achieving a system in which blood is readily available to persons when they need it. Make becoming a registered blood donor a priority. Those who are ineligible to donate can contribute by recruiting volunteers to this noble cause.

Blood can be donated at the following Blood Donation Centres:

4 Charlotte Street, Opposite Memorial Park, Port of Spain
Phone: (868)-623-8250, (868)-624-7524

Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex
Phone: (868)-645-2640 ext. 2008

San Fernando General Hospital
Phone: (868)-652-1121

Sangre Grande Hospital
Phone: (868) 668-2468/2288 ext. 147

Scarborough General Hospital
Phone: (868)-660-4744 ext., 3098

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#16DaysOfActivism 10 ways you can help end violence against women3. Services for survivors are essential services.This means that shelters, helplines, counselling, and all support for survivors of gender-based violence need to be available for those in need.Every year, the 16 Days of Activism campaign calls for united, global action to end all forms of violence against women and girls.This year the United Nations, together with our partners, are demanding increased investments to end violence against women.Content and graphics courtesy @UN Women #unite2030 #ENDviolence #officeofthepresidentt ... See MoreSee Less

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Courtesy Call from the IDB Country RepresentativeOn November 19, 2024, Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo, ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, received a courtesy call from Mr. Julian Belgrave, the newly appointed Country Representative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).During the meeting, Mr. Belgrave presented Her Excellency with a captivating portrait created as part of the Mural Mechanic Workshop, an initiative led by the IDB Trinidad and Tobago Country Office. The workshop engaged upper secondary school art students from Port of Spain and surrounding areas, focusing on mural creation as a pathway to skill-building and fostering the local creative sector.The initiative not only showcased the artistic talents of young participants but also explored opportunities for future collaborations within the IDB's creative sector initiatives.Her Excellency commended the IDB for its meaningful investment in the local youth and creative industries and expressed her admiration for the students' exceptional work. She wished Mr. Belgrave success in future projects that continue to empower and inspire the nation’s youth.#IDB #youthempowerment #officeofthepresidentt ... See MoreSee Less

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#16DaysOfActivism 10 ways you can help end violence against women2. Teach the next generation and learn from themThe examples we set for the younger generation shape the way they think about gender, respect, and human rights. Start conversations about gender roles early on, and challenge the traditional features and characteristics assigned to men and women. Point out the stereotypes that children constantly encounter, whether in the media, on the street, or at school, and let them know that it is OK to be different. Encourage a culture of acceptance.Talk about consent, bodily autonomy, and accountability in an age-appropriate way to boys and girls. For example, discuss the importance of a clear “yes” from all involved, the fact your body is yours and you make choices over what happens to it, and of how we must always take responsibility for our actions. It is important to also listen to what children have to say about their experience of the world. By empowering young advocates with information and educating them about women’s rights, we can build a better future for all.To learn more www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2020/11/compilation-take-action-to-help-end-violence-against-women#Unite2030 #ENDViolence #officeofthepresidentt ... See MoreSee Less

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Three awardees who were unable to attend the National Awards ceremony on September 24, 2024 were presented with their medals by Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago at The President’s House on Tuesday November 26, 2024.Mr. Sydney Russell Martineau, S.C., CMTT received the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for his contributions to law; Mr. Nazir Khan was awarded the Chaconia Medal (Silver) in recognition of his work in the sphere of business; and Ms Stephanie Lewis received the Public Service Medal of Merit (Gold) for her contributions to public service. Also present to congratulate the awardees were His Excellency Kerwyn Garcia S.C., First Gentleman, The Honourable the Chief Justice Mr Justice Ivor Archie ORTT and Mrs Denise Rodriguez-Archie. Senator the Honourable Reginald Armour S.C., Attorney General was also in attendance.The biographies of the awardees were read by Mr. Johnathon Dickson of St. Francis Boys’ College, Belmont. The Office of the President extends its sincere congratulates the three newest members of the Distinguished Society of Trinidad and Tobago. Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Mr. Russell Martineau S.C. in the sphere of LawMr. Russell Martineau S.C. was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1972 and later that year, was admitted to practice law as a barrister in Trinidad and Tobago. In 1981, he was appointed Senator and Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago until 1986.He is a member of the Bar of several CARICOM countries including Barbados, Grenada, Dominica, St. Vincent and St. Lucia. In 1993 he was elevated to the rank of Senior Counsel and was President of the Law Association for four years. In 2012, he was awarded The Chaconia Medal (Gold) for long and meritorious service in the sphere of law. Mr. Martineau was a member of the Dispute Resolution Commission established under the Tobago House of Assembly Act and he served as a director of many companies such as BWIA, First Citizens Bank Limited, Republic Bank Limited and Republic Financial Holdings Limited. He is a long-standing Director of the Pointe-a-Pierre Wild Fowl Trust and has been a member of the Queen’s Park Cricket Club for many years. In 2023, he was honoured by the Law Association for his fifty years as a member of the Bar.The Chaconia Medal (Silver)Mr. Nazir Khan in the sphere of Business Mr. Nazir Khan graduated with an Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1967. This was followed by completing the Program for Management Development at Harvard Business School in 1988. He began his career at W.R. Grace in 1967. He then moved to Fertilizers of Trinidad and Tobago as Assistant Project Manager eventually progressing to become Managing Director in 1991, a position he retained through changes in ownership in 1993 and 1997.Mr. Khan’s leadership extended beyond his professional roles, serving on various boards including the Water and Sewerage Authority as Chairman and as a Founding Director on the Environmental Management Authority of Trinidad and Tobago and the American Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago. He also contributed to the Board of Governors of the National Energy Skills Centre as Founding Chairman and the Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Technology (now UTT) as Founding Deputy Chairman.Currently, Mr. Khan serves on the boards of ANSA Chemicals Limited, ANSA Polymer Limited, Carib Glass Limited, ANSA Technologies Limited, and ANSA Coatings Limited.The Public Service Medal of Merit (Gold)Ms Stephanie Lewis in the sphere of Public ServiceMs Stephanie Lewis joined the Public Service after graduating from university and retired after thirty-eight years of service, in 2016. She served as Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) in the Personnel Department (Office of the Chief Personnel Officer), Government of Trinidad and Tobago for a period of eight years before her retirement. In this capacity, she was the leader of the organisation and was deemed to be the Employer of all public officers and daily-paid workers employed by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, the Tobago House of Assembly and Municipal Corporations. She was responsible for negotiating salaries, wages and terms and conditions of employment with some 13 Associations and Unions representing approximately 85,000 employees. She also served as Secretary to the Salaries Review Commission and the Cabinet-appointed Committee responsible for public sector negotiations, providing advice and support in the deliberations of those bodies. During her career, she acquired wide knowledge in the area of Human Resource Management and in particular, Industrial Relations and Public Service pension benefits. This allowed her to provide invaluable input and technical advice for the successful implementation of significant initiatives such as, the Voluntary Termination of Employment Plan for the Civil and Teaching Services and similar transformation initiatives in other public sector organisations, for example, the Regional Health Authorities and TTPost.Ms. Lewis’s greatest achievements as CPO was successfully negotiating revised salaries, wages and allowances for officers of the entire Public Service for the periods 2008 to 2010 and 2011 to 2013 - periods of significant economic and fiscal challenges. ... See MoreSee Less

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Message on World Blood Donor Day 2020

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