19 Jun 2018

Principal registered nurse from Kweneng Blood Donation Centre, Mr Othusitse Kenyadiwang has urged Batswana to donate blood and save lives. Speaking during a blood donation campaign in Lentsweletau recently, Mr Kenyadiwang said due to different health challenges, a lot of patients needed blood and urged Batswana to take part in blood donation campaigns around the country.

He said Botswana has signed a memorandum of agreement with the World Health Organisation to encourage at least two per cent of its population to donate blood per year. He said about 40 000 pints of blood was expected to be donated and stored at a blood bank for future use.

Mr Kenyadiwang noted that the country had never reached the agreed amount, and that it had only produced 27 000 pints of blood which was low.

He said they have launched a blood donation campaign which has compelled them to travel around Kweneng encouraging people to donate blood.

Mr Kenyadiwang said through the initiative they were also teaching people about the importance of donating blood in order to save lives.

He said they had realised that a lot of people were afraid to donate blood due to different perceptions.

He added that it was vital to teach them about donating blood in order to change their attitude towards the initiative.

“Through our campaign we target a highly dense population such as schools, kgotla meetings, and church services because that is where people normally show interest, but for now we inform and arrange with every village leadership we want to go and conduct the initiative at so that they can notify their people,” he said.

He said although the numbers of people donating blood continued to be lower than the expected rates, they were happy that secondary school students were the ones donating blood at high rates.

He said for one to donate blood they had to be between the ages of 16 years and 65, weighing 50kg and above with a good health history. He noted that only 450ml of blood was needed per person.

He also noted that before the procedure all chronic conditions such as blood pressure and others were checked.

Ms Mavis Tsalampe, 35, said it was her first time to donate blood because she wanted to save lives.

For his part, Kgosi Jack Motswakhumo was thankful to the campaign, saying it would continue to save lives and make people realise the importance of donating blood. Ends