OPAP Cyprus hands over upgraded Blood Centre vans

With a powerful intervention in the health sector, OPAP Cyprus has renewed and strengthened the fleet of vehicles of the Blood Centre, to cover needs arising from the island-wide management of blood donation.

This week, the first two of the six, specially-upgraded vehicles that OPAP Cyprus will provide, were handed over to Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas, by the organisation’s CEO, Dimitris Aletraris, in the courtyard of the Nicosia blood donation station at the Engomi Health Centre.

OPAP Cyprus’ response to the Ministry’s appeal is expressed out of a deep sense of responsibility towards fellow human beings, said Aletraris, but also towards Blood Centre staff who struggle day and night to meet the increased need of blood donation, arising from pandemic-fuelled turmoil, which, as the OPAP Cyprus chief noted: “has turned concern for blood needs into despair”.

Aletraris expressed confidence that the six vehicles will increase the capacity for blood donation and help ensure the quality of relevant procedures, as well as safety of staff. He also assured Minister Hadjipantelas that the enduring cooperation between OPAP Cyprus and the Ministry of Health, based on respect and transparency, will continue for the benefit of Cypriot society.

For his part, the health minister thanked OPAP Cyprus for its new major contribution towards the health sector, which will contribute decisively to addressing blood needs and upgrading the services provided by his Ministry to the Cypriot citizen. This contribution was yet one more of countless prior times, noted Minister Hadjipantelas, that OPAP Cyprus has supported the Health Ministry’s goals and programmes.

It is worth noting that the Blood Centre’s present fleet of vehicles was donated by OPAP Cyprus in December 2014. Four of the six upgraded vehicles are to be used to transport personnel, equipment and consumables for blood donations in Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaca districts. The other two vehicles will be used as Blood Centre laboratories, each with specially-designed rooms, a refrigerator and freezer, to fully ensure safe transport of units of whole blood and its derivatives, to and from the Blood Centre and Blood Banks.

OPAP Cyprus, having supported the health sector over the years, in many ways, is thus continuing to support the plans of the Ministry of Health, investing in the island’s healthcare institutions with modern equipment, while meeting the needs that every difficult time imposes, as a sincere ally of society.