04 Jun 2014

National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS) media director has underscored the importance of blood donation.

Dr Mukendi Kayembe, who was addressing the media recently, said the national blood requirement was just over 40 000 units, but that could hardly pass the 50 per cent mark.

He said in the last year, NBST only managed to collect 20 207 units of blood, or about 50 per cent of the national requirement. And getting half the requirement was a feat, according to Dr Kayembe. “I must say though that last year’s collection was way better than the previous years and we are looking to increase that,” he said.

He indicated 47 per cent of last year’s collection came from secondary schools, 28 per cent from donor centres, 11 per cent from tertiary education institutions, five per cent from companies, three per cent from campaigns and two per cent from churches.

Dr Kayembe said blood was collected from people on a voluntary and non-remunerated manner. “Before we can get blood from someone, they have to go through an interview on their health condition and behavior based on donor registration form, physical examination including weight [and] haemoglobin test,” he said.

Sourced blood went through four tests for transfusion transmissible infections namely HIV 1-2, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Syphilis, he said. He said infected blood was incenerated.

Dr Kayembe said to improve collection, NBTS had decentralised blood collection from Gaborone and Francistown to Molepolole, Mahalapye, Serowe-Palapye and Maun.

“The project started in August 2013 and we have since collected 2038 units of blood,” he said. On reports that NBTS discriminated against some potential donors Dr Kayembe said his organisation followed WHO guidelines.

“But the most important thing is the truthfulness of the donor in answering questions on the donor registration form,” he said, adding blood donation was from low risk populations. He indicated any healthy person aged between 16 and 65 years could donate blood.

“Blood can also be collected from healthy blood donors who are above the age of 65 who meet agreed medical and physical requirements and have already been regular blood donors,” said Dr Kayembe. Ends