Vientiane, Laos (Nov. 5, 2010) – The U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) Joint Blood Program Office provided 100 units of blood to the Lao Red Cross Blood Transfusion Center, in preparation for the expected high number of overseas visitors in November for Vientiane’s 450th Anniversary celebrations and other events.
The blood was provided in response to a request from the Lao Red Cross for units of Type O blood to assist the National Blood Transfusion Center to build its stocks ahead of these events. The U.S. Pacific Command provided 80 units of Blood Type O, Rh Positive, and 20 units of Blood Type O, Rh Negative.
The United States Chargé d’ Affairs to the Lao PDR, Peter M. Haymond, and the U.S. Defense Attaché, Lieutenant Colonel Jamie McAden, formally handed over the blood units on behalf of U.S. Pacific Command to the Lao Red Cross on November 5, 2010.
The National Blood Transfusion Center of the Lao Red Cross is responsible for ensuring an adequate supply of blood, as well as providing blood units for emergency cases during the event.
This assistance is a continuation of the excellent partnership between the U.S. Pacific Command and the Lao Red Cross, the Ministry of Health, and the Military Medical Department of the Ministry of National Defense. The U.S. Pacific Command Joint Blood Program Office has partnered with the Lao Red Cross in the past two years to provide medical training and equipment to Lao civilian and military doctors, nurses, and medical laboratory technicians, to ensure the continued safety of the blood supply in Laos.
The U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Pacific Command would like to take this opportunity to extend their best wishes to the Government of Laos for a safe and successful celebration of the 450th Anniversary of the Vientiane Capital.
