14 May 2018

 It is important to donate blood as it saves lives, especially during child birth, when performing surgeries, for treating  burns and it is also used in  actively bleeding patients.

Speaking during a press briefing about the soon coming blood donation tour, acting deputy permanent secretary - clinical services, Mr Mooketsi Bafana said the intention of the upcoming blood transfusion cycling tour is to sensitise people about the importance of donating blood.

Bafana said the blood transfusion cycling tour will be held on June 1 to the 14 in 14 villages, which include Dibete, Kgagodi and Palapye. The tour will be followed by blood donor day in Mahalapye on June 14.

“Blood transfusion and blood products have saved many lives and it enables people to live longer and it also reduces maternal and infant mortality,” he said.

For his part, Mr Koobiditse Radisowa, who is the chief scientific medical officer said the National Blood Transfusion Centre is responsible for collecting, processing and distributing blood and blood products in the country.

“Blood donation is voluntary, the blood is tested and there is also safe and rational use of blood,” he noted.

He highlighted that National Blood Transfusion Centre complies with World Health Organisation formula, which says two per cent of Botswana population has to collect 45 000 units of blood per year.

Mr Radisowa further said HIV prevalence among blood donor population reduced from 2.5 per cent in 2010 to 1.4 per cent in 2017.

“Districts donate 24 per cent of blood, secondary schools donate 34 per cent, churches contribute one per cent, companies donate four per cent and tertiary institutions donate 11 per cent of blood,” he noted.

For his part, Ms Tumelo Ramalebang said community donations are low and the cycling tour will help collect more blood as 2 000 units is expected to be collectedduring the tour.

Ms Ramalebang urged the youth to participate in blood donation as the target group is from ages 10 to 35 and out of school youth, those in work places and the community at large are expected to donate in order to save lives. ENDS