16 Jun 2015

Permanent secretary in the Ministry
of Health, Ms Shenaaz El-Halabi, says transfusion of blood and blood products
 help to save millions of lives every year.

Speaking at the commemoration of World Donor Day on Sunday (June 14),
 Ms El-Halabi said the need for adequate and safe blood could not be overemphasised.

“Blood is needed for critical conditions such as trauma,
 accidents, complications during pregnancy and many other conditions that might 
require blood transfusion,” she said.

She said Ministry of Health applauded all the blood donors who
, throughout the years, had significantly contributed to the good health of the
 people.

“In Botswana, we are proud to have 100 per cent donation from
 voluntary and unpaid blood donors,” she said. However, Ms El-Halabi said all over the world, the supply of
 adequate blood was a challenge and Botswana was not an exception.

She revealed that Botswana had not been able to reach the 40 000 
units of blood required annually, adding that the shortage of blood had in some 
unfortunate cases resulted in loss of lives.

“It is our hope that with the support of you all, we will
reach the required 40 000 units in the near future. The blood you donate gives
someone another chance to live, blood donation will cost you nothing but will
save a life,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ms El-Halabi stated that 60 per cent of units of
blood collected in the country come from the students and its assuring since
young people tend to be healthy, idealistic and motivated.

She also said for
the past five years, secondary schools panels have been providing the highest
number of units compared to other panels.

Princess Marina Hospital’s Dr David Tamuhla said donors are
partners with doctors in saving lives. He said it is important to donate blood
since blood cannot be manufactured or bought.

He said most groups in need of blood are women, people with
HIV, kidney, cancer and diabetes. He said most of women lose more blood during
delivery and in cases of abortion and need blood transfusion to get back to
normal.

He applauded blood donors for helping those who need blood to
survive.

“The most important thing about donating blood is that you
are giving life to someone else, there is no replacement or machine that
manufactures blood,” he said.

For his part, BancABC managing director, Mr Jitto Kurian said
their partnership with the National Blood Transfusion Service as the financial
institution brings their goals closer and aids in positively impacting on the
society and economy.

“It is our hope that recipients of blood are restored to good
health and goes on to become active members of society and contribute to the
economy of Botswana,” he said.

The celebration of the World Donor Day was attended by many
Batswana donors, amongst was the mayor for Gaborone, deputy permanent secretary
in the ministry of health and other dignitaries. Ends