16 Jun 2014

Director of Academic Services at the University of Botswana Prof. Amos Thapisa has hailed the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) for its commitment towards ensuring adequate and safe blood for the nation.

Giving a keynote address at the World Blood Donor Day in Gaborone on June 14, Prof. Thapisa said since its inception in 2000, the NBTS had been the driving organisation in government’s efforts to improve the safety, availability and accessibility of blood and blood products in Botswana.

He noted with pride that blood collection in the country has increased by 72 per cent while the discard rate of the same has decrease from 11.8 per cent to 3.5 per cent over the past 10 years.

Despite the impressive results, he regretted, blood collection runs below national requirements and as such said efforts should be made to raise awareness on the need for safe blood and blood products.

He noted that transfusion of blood and blood products helps to save millions of lives every year particularly that it is needed for in critical situations like trauma, accidents, and complications during pregnancy and many other conditions that may require blood transfusion.

He noted that since this year’s theme is; “Safe Blood for Saving Mothers” every mother should not have died while giving life, but unfortunately according World Health Organisation (WHO) every year 800 women die from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications.

“Global statistics on the other hand show that at least 500 000 women worldwide die each year from pregnancy related causes. One third of those deaths occur in Africa. For example, the risk of dying at each pregnancy in developing countries is 1: 140 while in the Scandinavian countries it is 1: 2500,” he said.

He told the over 200 attendants that severe bleeding during delivery and after childbirth is among the major causes of mortality, morbidity and long-term disability among mothers. Hemorrhage accounts for 25 per cent to 30 per cent of maternal deaths.

Regrettably, Thapisa said despite the excellent prenatal care in Botswana, unexpected hemorrhage does occur and first step in managing it must include transfusion therapy. He said in Botswana maternal mortality ration is 190: 100 000 live births.

Meanwhile, Prof. Thapisa noted that the goal of World Blood Donor Day campaign is to increased awareness about why timely access to safe blood and blood products is essential part of a comprehensive approach to preventing maternal deaths.

He decried that access to safe and efficient blood, blood products and the rational use of blood for transfusion remains a challenge to Botswana and many other countries in the developing world. ENDS