Celebrating a Birthday With WHO!
Jehovah's Witnesses participated in celebrating the birthday of World Health Day 2000, with representatives of the World Health Organization, NGOs, and other high ranking government officials.
What is World Health Day?
World Health Day (WHD) is celebrated each year on 7 April in commemoration of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. (see page 9 of pdf file---there are no page numbers on the documents, so look at your computer page counter)
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Safe Blood Starts With Me!
Quote: Forward/page 7
"This is why blood safety was the theme of World Health Day 2000, but also one of WHO's priorities for the future, with the launch of a long-term programme aimed to assist national health authorities, especially those in greatest need, to establish and maintain well-organized blood transfusion services with appropriate infrastructure and trained personnel."
"World Health Day 2000 was a tremendous success. This book is primarily to tribute to those who contributed to this success, and the momentum they created to make this life source---our blood---safe and available for all."
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Quotes page 53/
"Within the framework of World Health Day 2000, Nicaragua organized its Second National Congress of Blood Banks. The event, which took place in Managua from 30 March to 1 April 2001, was in memory of Dr. Ernesto Lo'pez Lo'pez, Director of the NBC who passed away in September 1999. The objectives of the Congress were to ensure a better service for donors and for those in need of blood, using quality controls at every level to minimize risks."
"Of note was the presence of Jehovah Witnesses at the Congress."
"165 specialists attended the event, including physicians, nurses, experts in bioanalysis, laboratory technicians, safe blood advocates and students. And invited were staff from hospitals, universities and clinics, and officials from the Ministry of Health. Including the----(see top of scan 3) which continues:
Minister, Members of the National Assembly, WHO and NGOs. Of particular note was the presence of Jehovah Witnesses at the event."
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Quotes on page 54
"All participants expressed their gratitude to the humanitarian actions of voluntary blood donors."
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To find all four pages in the pdf file look at your computer page counter and look for pages 7--9---53 and 54
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World Health Day 2000 will deal with an important issue of high priority to the Director General, namely blood safety. The Day will serve as a launch for a long-term advocacy programme; activities and resources will be used well beyond the 7th April, in line with a long-term WHO blood safety strategy. The Day will also provide the opportunity for the WHO to put into practice its new commitment to developing partnerships. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (The Federation) has been invited to participate as a primary partner in this programme. It is expected that this partnership will be developed over the long term together with other important partners related directly to blood safety such as The International Society for Blood Trans fusion, Haemophiliac Associations and Thalasemia Associations. Those broad health organizations, which take an active interest and participate in World Health Day each year (irrespective of the subject), will also join in this initiative.World Health Day will be taken as an opportunity to highlight the broad concerns of blood safety. The interrelation between blood safety and maternal/child health, malaria, injection safety, trauma, HIV/AIDS and waste management will all be further explored.The Regional and Country OfficesAs World Health Day is primarily about WHO Member States reaffirming their commitment to health, the role of the Regional and Country Offices will be key to ensuring the success of the Day. Previous World Health Days which proved particularly successful highlighted the importance of interesting and participatory activities carried out at both grass roots and national level.
A steering group has been established to oversee the work. This group involves technical support from the department of BCT, Regional Offices (by email and video conferencing), focal points from different WHO clusters, The Federation, UNAIDS, and other partners.'Defining' Blood SafetyThe basic requirements for a safe and adequate blood supply are:
commitment and support of National Health Authorities; organization, management and infrastructure for a sustainable blood transfusion service; safe blood donors, testing and processing of blood, access to blood products; and appropriate use of blood.The major aspects are set out in WHA Resolution 28.72 adopted in 1975. WHO activities on blood safety are based on this and it will serve as the basis for World Health Day messages and activities. The Resolution urges Member States (emphasis added): to promote the development of national blood services based on voluntary non-remunerated donations of blood to enact effective legislation governing the operation of blood services and to take other actions necessary to protect and promote the health of blood donors and of recipients of blood and blood products World Health Day will be taken as an opportunity to highlight the chain of requirements for blood safety. It will provide an opportunity for recognition and thanks to blood donors. However, the main message of the Day will be to emphasis the broader aspects, from political commitment to appropriate use of blood by clinicians and those prescribing blood. This chain is outlined in the key messages below.Slogan"Safe blood starts with me" with the subtext "Blood saves lives"ObjectivesTo raise awareness of blood safety issues globallyTo encourage Member Sates to commit to and support national blood programmes and implement national blood legislation or a legal framework for a national blood programme to ensure the provision of safe bloodTo promote and retain donations from voluntary (altruistic), non-remunerated blood donors from low risk populations Expected Outcomes Expected OutcomesTo achieve political commitment and support in 80 % of countries to approve and implement national policies and plans on blood safety within 5 years.To increase general public awareness and understanding of blood safety and promote voluntary non-remunerated blood donations from low risk populations (concept of altruistic donation)To increase awareness among health professionals as to the importance of blood safety and their role in supporting blood safety (improved awareness of safety and appropriate clinical use of blood, minimizing unnecessary use of blood) Key messages Positive health impact of safe blood Need for more safe blood donationsEffective and appropriate measures to prevent the transmission of blood-borne diseases and conditions Safe and appropriate clinical use of blood and blood products Target audienceGeneral Public and Blood Donors Ministries of Health/Health AuthoritiesBlood ProgrammesClinicians and those prescribingLinks across WHO programmesThe theme of blood safety relates to a wide variety of WHO activities outside the direct work of the department of Blood Safety and Clinical Technology. Regional Offices and Headquarter's Programmes are being invited to input into the development of messages and activities. Focal Points have been identified in all Regions and HQ Clusters.Reaching the TargetsIn order to ensure broad awareness of World Health Day, a twofold approach will be taken involving in-country activities as well as a broad media campaign. A Communications specialist will provide support in defining a communications campaign. In addition to the information package, full use will be made of modern communications systems, such as the Internet. http://w3.whosea.org/EN/Section260/Section600/Section601.htm#LinksPerhaps this is one reason that there are so many changes in the blood policies of Jehovah's Witnesses. One minute JWs are attempting to serve the Watchtower's doctrines, and the next minute they are attending a WHO Congress where they will get the actual facts. Anyway you look at it, attending a political birthday celebration that is held annually is taking part in the world, and conduct unbecoming to put it in the Watchtower Society's words. But then again, we have known for many years that the Watchtower Society does not obey the same laws it requires of its members!You can not serve two masters. So while the Watchtower takes its time making up its mind as to its next blood policy change, in the meantime, people are dying! submitted by Randy for TruthwatcherNet Soup! http://www.freeminds.org A steering group has been established to oversee the work. This group involves technical support from the department of BCT, Regional Offices (by email and video conferencing), focal points from different WHO clusters, The Federation, UNAIDS, and other partners.'Defining' Blood SafetyThe basic requirements for a safe and adequate blood supply are:
