Kiev, May 1, 2020
Photo: healthy-magazines.com
Due to the coronavirus quarantine measures, hospitals in Ukraine are facing a shortage of donor blood. In an effort to overcome this situation, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is calling on its faithful to donate blood and for those who have fully recovered from coronavirus infections to donate plasma.
“The Ministry of Health of Ukraine has reported that due to the quarantine and coronavirus disease, there is a shortage of donor blood in the hospitals. The number of donors has been cut in half. But, just one donor can save three whole lives!” said His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, the UOC Chancellor, reports the Church’s Information-Education Department.
A similar call was earlier made by the Belarusian Church and state.
“By becoming donors, each of us will fulfill that to which the Lord has called us: Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful (Lk. 6:36),” says Met. Anthony.
He also called on those who have already recovered from coronavirus infections to donate plasma.
“In addition, I would like to note the recent joint initiative of the Belarusian Orthodox Church and the Ministry of Health of Belarus, which appealed to believers who have overcome the coronavirus to donate blood plasma (it is used for the treatment of seriously ill patients, since it contains antibodies that can fight COVID-19). I am sure that such an initiative can be relevant for Ukraine as well. In this regard, I would like to emphasize that we are open to holding appropriate consultations with Ukrainian doctors,” the Ukrainian hierarch said.
