30 Jul 2017

Youth employees in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development recently launched Pledge 25 club dubbed #mpharanyetsa to encourage young people to donate blood.

Speaking at the launch in Mochudi, senior manager, corporate services, Mr Lopang Pule, said Pledge 25 club was an initiative by National Blood Transfusion Services which calls upon young people to donate blood at least 25 times and above in their lives, as well as to reduce behaviour related infections among the youth.

Mr Pule commend the youth employees for launching the Pledge 25 club noting that the youth were the face of the ministry hence it was upon them to bring innovative and creative ideas that will take the ministry further.

“The issue of blood shortage in the country is a concern and it should be given the seriousness it deserves.It is upon the nation to take heed of the call from the National Blood Transfusion Services and play role of donating blood,” he said.

He encouraged the youth focal persons to mobilise youth at their respective departments to take the pledge and join the club as well, adding that more work had to be carried out in efforts to support and help the Botswana National Transfusion reach its required units of blood.

Mr Pule advised the youth that as they embarked on their #mpharanyetsa movement, their efforts would not go unnoticed; hence in the next blood donation session there would be an increased number of club members as well as new pledges.

He urged the youth to lead healthy lifestyles in order for them to continue being safe blood donors, adding that the club was very important for them as it promotes good health.

He noted that the issue of blood donation concerns all hence the need to support the movement by donating blood during the blood donation sessions.

 Representative from the National Blood Transfusion Services, Ms Annah Mothupi said Botswana needed 40 000 units of blood per annum; hence only 12 000 had been collected in 2017, so far.

She further said in 2015, they had collected 27 000 units, which drastically dropped to 25 000 units in 2016, something, she said was a major concern.

 Ms Mothupi urged the youth to donate blood noting that lives were lost due to blood loss through accidents or deliveries by expectant mothers, adding that donors should make sure they eat before donating and to have rest after donating blood.

The ministry’s wellness committee focal person, Mr Eli Rantsho said the club would go a long way in saving people and educating people about the importance of donating blood, adding that it was non-remunerated youth club that worked under National Blood Transfusion Services, mandated to keep up with the objectives of Pledge 25.

Mr Rantsho urged club members to equip other young people within the ministry with knowledge and information that will help protect them from HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases that may prohibit them from maintaining healthy life-styles in order to provide safe blood. ENDS