29 Apr 2018

Jwaneng town Mayor, Mr Obed Monggae has reassured National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS) of the nation’ support and obligation to donate blood.

The Mayor said during blood donation exercise held by NBTS in collaboration with Itekeng Volleyball Club in Jwaneng on April 28 that calls by NBTS had set off rapid response as many Batswana seemed more ready than ever before to donate blood.

“Your coming here in particular puts us in a much better pedestal to contribute towards saving precious lives of many of our people who are involved in road carnages and other such medical conditions,” he said adding that the town of Jwaneng, which is prone to road accidents, stands to benefit from such campaigns.

Also Mr Monggae gave Itekeng Volleyball Club a pat on the back for its social responsibility programme which he stated had given birth to the noble initiative.

The Mayor also presented a gazebo to NBTS on behalf of Itekeng Volleyball Club.

Itekeng Volleyball club's public relations officer, Ms Tsholofelo Nkokobocho believed the gazebo will be handy to NBTS in its countrywide spirited blood donation crusade.

She said the April 28 campaign turned out to be a worthwhile undertaking as a total of 42 pints of blood was collected.

“We are happy about the results and will do it again in future should the need arise,” she said.

NBTS representative Ms Joyce Kgosiesele echoed Mr Monggae’s sentiments and praised Itekeng Volleyball Club for being among the many champions that have heeded NBTS’s clarion call to donate blood.

She said Botswana needed 40 000 units of blood annually and efforts by partners such as Itekeng Volleyball Club helped towards achieving that.

“The gazebo will also come in handy as we traverse the length and breadth of this country asking Batswana to donate blood,” she said.

Mr Doctor Mmoko a resident in Jwaneng and regular blood donor, having started donating blood in 2005 at Molopo River Junior School told BOPA in an interview that donating blood has become part of his life.

“I save other people’s lives and potentially mine because you will never know what the future holds. I may be the one who need it next,” the 30-year-old pointed out.

Another blood donor, Ms Tshenolo Ditshekiso aged 27, called on fellow young people to make blood donation their business and save lives.

To be eligible to donate blood, one has to be within the age bracket of 16 to 65, weigh 50kg and above and be medically and physically fit.

Male donors donate after every three months whereas their female counterparts should donate after every four months. ENDS