A new Lm130,000 blood donation centre was opened by Health Minister Louis Deguara yesterday.

The new centre, which is just outside St. Luke’s Hospital, is to be purposely kept separate from the main new hospital at Mater Dei so that blood donors do not have to give blood in a hospital environment.

It has a canteen, as well as DVD players and flat screen televisions, in order to allow time to pass more quickly. Dr Deguara explained: “Yes, we saw fit to splash out on these things because the 16-17,000 donors who give blood deserve better treatment.” Six people can give blood at any one time and donors do not need to make an appointment. The Blood Transfusion Unit staff will do everything in their power to see that donors are in and out as quickly as possible, within safety limits.

Dr Deguara explained that blood sorting and processing will continue at the old blood bank (which still has a very good reputation) until a new facility is built next to the Mount Carmel Hospital in Attard.

The new donor centre is up to European ISO standards. “We are already one of the best in Europe, and within a few years we aim to be the best blood transfusion centre on the continent,” said Dr Deguara.

He heaped praise on director Alex Aquilina, describing him as the driving force that has allowed Maltese society to achieve what it has. “He has been inspirational. What you see around him is all a result of his vision,” said Dr Deguara.

Dr Aquilina said that the two main factors that had been kept in mind during construction were the well-being of the donors and the ability to keep the place spotlessly clean. Following the unveiling of a plaque, the premises were blessed. The new centre is due to open its doors to the public on Monday.