05 Oct 2015

Students of Seepapitso Senior School in Kanye have been urged to donate to the national blood bank. The National Blood Transfusion Services manager Mr Joseph Moatshe made the call during a wellness day in Kanye recently.

He said many lives have been lost previously due to shortage of blood thus encouraged them to donate and save other lives. He revealed that the national blood bank last year collected 25 010 litres of blood against the demand of 40 000 litres.

Mr Moatshe explained that the blood is used to save lives during emergency situations such as road accidents, surgeries and labour period where most people usually lose blood. 

“Out of this number, 47 per cent of the litres were donated by schools and I therefore congratulate you for the spirit and urge you keep it up,” said Mr Moatshe.

Even though anyone aged between 16-65 years  is illegible to donate, he said mostly they encourage the youth to donate since the prevalence rate of diseases such as sugar diabetes and hypertension is nominal in their age group.

He said they have a club called pledge 25, a group of people aged 16-65 which encourages members to donate blood 25 times in a lifetime. Mr Moatshe, however, explained that while everyone between the ages of 16-65 years can donate blood, they prefer a donor to weigh 50kg and above.

He advised the donors not to take drugs so their blood stays clean. For his part, nutritionist from the National Food Technology and Research Centre (NFTRC) Mr Kitso Koboyakgaka urged Batswana to eat healthy food and reduce sugar and fats uptake.

He said taking too much sugar and fats exposes the body to lifestyle conditions like sugar diabetes and hypertension. A Seepapitso pledge 25 member Mr Letlhogonolo Kelefatshe said the purpose of the event was to raise awareness on blood donation and its importance.

He said that the club intends to create a conducive environment for blood donors in the school. Ends