Telerecruiter for the Blood Bank Tiffany Obermuller addresses the media prior to the release of the balloons .

The Ministry of Health is looking to achieve some 90 percent of recurring voluntary blood donors in order to meet a 10,000 unit collection target set for this year.

The National Blood Transfusion Service on Tuesday launched World Blood Donors Day with the release of 90 red balloons at its Lamaha and East Streets compound in recognition of the 90 percent target.

Health minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy was present at the simple event and in brief remarks said they are aiming for just over 5,000 voluntary donors giving between one and two units of blood in order to reach the set figure.

“For us to accomplish our goal we need 1.5 percent to two percent of the adult population to be donors and to donate at least two units of blood per year. Right now we are about one percent of the adult population as donors,” he said.

The minister said the donation average is about 1.1units per person since most of the donors give blood once a year.

The Blood Bank will also be hosting an Awards Ceremony for its Good Samaritan Programme Tuesday evening as a part of its World Blood Donors Day activities.