DUSHANBE, June 14, 2011, Asia-Plus - Tajikistan, as many other countries of the world, celebrates the World Blood Donor Day.

Wide scale campaigns that are aimed to mobilize voluntary blood donation will take place in Dushanbe.

The Republican Scientific Blood Center will host the Voluntary Blood Donation Marathon under the motto “Donate blood and save life!” that will be broadcasted on national TV, a spokeswoman for the Tajik Ministry of Health Fotima Goibova told the AP.

Residents of Dushanbe and workers of international organizations will take part in this action.

“Young people represent the basis for the future and play vital role in establishment of blood reserves,” Tajik Deputy Health Minister Sohibnazar Rahmonov has said.

This year’s theme of the World Blood Day is “The gift of life celebration.” The theme, according to the Tajik Deputy Health Minister, outlines the importance of life saving campaigns.

“UNDP has been working in this direction for several years and provides Tajik blood centers with required materials, tests and modern equipment, transport facilities and medicines to support the initiative of voluntary blood donation,” the Director of UNDP Office in Tajikistan Rastislav Vrbensky has said, adding that in $4mln US dollars were allocated for strengthening and development of the material and technical basis of the Tajik blood center system in 2010-2011.