Hon Dr David Clark

Minister of Health

MEDIA STATEMENT

31 July 2018

Health Minister congratulates NZ Blood Service on two decades of life saving work

Health Minister Dr David Clark has congratulated the New Zealand Blood Service and its thousands of donors for helping to save or improve the lives of more than half a million people in the past two decades.

“Since the New Zealand Blood Service was created 20 years ago, it has become a model health agency in ensuring a healthy blood supply is available for anyone in need, anytime and anywhere throughout our country,” David Clark says.

“This is an incredibly crucial service for the health and wellbeing of all New Zealanders. Every day, an average of 79 people nationwide need blood or blood products. During the past 20 years, more than half a million people have received blood or blood products from the New Zealand Blood Service.

“I want to thank the more than 600,000 blood donors who have generously volunteered to save or improve the lives of fellow New Zealanders by giving more than 3 million individual donations of blood.

“Virtually everyone will know someone who has had their life improved or saved thanks to donated blood.

“I also want to thank those people who facilitate blood donation, and provide blood and blood products to New Zealanders in need.

“Since the New Zealand Blood Service’s inception in 1998, it has improved consistency in the supply of blood products, provided strategic direction around the provision of services and products, improved cost-effectiveness, evaluated and introduced new technologies as appropriate, and most importantly, reinforced safety as its highest priority.

“It is my pleasure to host the New Zealand Blood Service’s 20th anniversary celebrations at the Grand Hall of Parliament House this evening,” David Clark says.

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