06 Jun 2019

Botswana has never collected the 45 000 units of blood every year that is required to take care of any eventualities.

Councillor for Tshwaragano Ward in Francistown, Mr Gaone Majere said at a cycling tour by Pledge 25 Club in Francistown on June 5 that to date only 27 000 units of blood were collected annually. 

He explained that blood transfusion and blood products could help save many lives if Batswana could donate blood in large numbers. 

Councillor Majere further said shortage of blood could cause complications and eventual death. 

He explained that blood was a source of life because it helps patients suffering from life-threatening diseases to leave longer and with a higher quality of life as well as support complex medical and surgical procedures.

Mr Majere thanked Pledge 25 Cycling Club for raising awareness using its cycling tour.

The club is currently on a countrywide blood donation drive through a cycling tour and the tour is a build-up to the World Blood Donor Day, which will be commemorated in Selebi Phikwe on June 14. 

World Blood Donor Day is an international event that aims to appreciate blood donors as well as create awareness on blood donation. 

The tour began in Maun on June 1, where Pledge 25 Maun Club was launched.

Cyclists will be travelling through 10 villages across the country with the aim to collect 2 000 units of blood.

Councillor Majere explained that the cycling tour was crucial as it focused on blood donation as a way of encouraging community participation in the health system. 

He therefore encouraged Batswana to support this noble cause by Pledge 25 Club, adding that what was encouraging was that the club had been formed by the youth, who were the leaders of tomorrow.

Mr Majere also encouraged people all over the country to voluntarily and regularly donate blood, saying 60 per cent of blood donation comes from youth in schools. 

He promised to encouraged the political leadership across the country to be exemplary in this initiative and donate blood. 

Councillor Majere further explained that regular blood donation would ensure uninterrupted supply to save the lives of many people in the country. 

He also challenged members of the non-profit making organisations including faith-based organisations such as churches to donate blood and raise awareness on the initiative.

He wondered why Batswana had never given blood donation the same treatment as other initiatives such as HIV/AIDS. 

The Chairperson of Pledge 25, Ms Gaone Gaefiwe thanked the chief donor in the Northern part of the country, Mr Batshane Mokane of Tonota for having donated 84 times since 1991.

Ms Gaefiwe explained that people of Mr Mokane’s caliber were role models who should be supported at all times to encourage others to follow suite. 

The chairperson explained that club members had pledge to donate blood 25 times in their youthful lifetime.

For his part, Mr Mokane said he could be far beyond the 100 times pledge if he was consistent with his donation throughout.

He called on the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Wellness to be on the forefront in raising awareness on blood donation. ENDS