08 May 2017

Molepolole Blood Donation Centre has resorted to a mobile donation office after realising that people are reluctant to donate blood due to various reasons among them distance travelled to a donation centre,

Mr Olebile Choko, a principal registered nurse at Molepolole Blood Donation Centre said in an interview during the UCCSA youth conference in Kang recently that the hospital experienced shortage of blood as most people were reluctant to donate due to distance travelled to the donation centre.

He said as a result, their mobile blood donation centre moved around government institutions and even churches encouraging people to donate blood.

He noted that Botswana was faced with acute shortage of blood which had led to loss of lives.

He said government had lobbied for blood donation despite failure to meet the target.

He therefore appreciated efforts of the UCCSA for doing its part by encouraging youth, elders and community members to donate blood.

Mr Choko further said 40 000 units of blood was needed nationally but currently have managed to acquire only around 25 000 units.
“The blood is used during emergencies such as car accidents where people have lost more blood. Lives have been lost in the past due to a deficit in blood banks,” he said.

Mr Choko said anyone aged between 16 and 65 years could donate blood.

“Those who cannot donate due to different reasons can contribute by spreading the message. Donating blood is a way of helping others; it could be you, your family, a friend or somebody you know,’’ he pleaded.

He said one blood pint could save up to three lives. BOPA