12 Aug 2019

 Mr Robert Mokane, 31, one day woke up to the sad news that his brother, Moses had just died at Princess Marina Hospital due to blood shortage. 

Although he had been diagnosed with cancer, Moses bled too much which was the most likely cause of his death, doctors said. 

A week before Moses’ death, Mr Mokane’s family members were told to mobilise themselves and donate blood for his survival, but it was inadequate until he succumbed. 

That was the turning point for Mr Mokane and he decided to become a regular blood donor, describing the trend where people were losing lives due to blood shortage as unfair. 

Mr Mokane is employed as a driver at Matopi Clinic, but initially worked for the National Health Laboratory Centre in Gaborone.

He was among the first employees of the centre and was driven by the death of his brother to donate blood. 

“It feels good to save life and blood is very important. Batswana should take interest in donating blood to people who need it,” he said. 

This was the first step that Mr Mokane took among the many corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities he had embarked upon. 

 “It is my way of giving back to the community, and it makes me feel good. As my partner is going through high blood pressure at the moment, I am even more conscious of how vital and useful blood donations are. Seeing it first-hand makes it very real,” he said. 

He said the need for blood was constant, adding that “it does not cost anything, but it really does save lives. How can that not make you feel good?” 

Having recently made his 85^th donation, Mr Mokane shared his reasons for donating, which range from community driven to the personal. 

He said he started donating blood in 1991 when he was working at the Blood Transfusion Centre, and that he wanted to be exemplary as an employee of the centre. 

He said most employees of the Ministry of Health and Wellness always asked people to donate blood but they never donated. 

Mr Mokane further said he intends to pledge 100 millilitres or more of blood by the end of the year because there was nothing difficult in doing as he was physically fit. 

“If you are physically fit you can donate blood as many times as you wish ,” he said. 

He said he got support from his wife who always encouraged him to be vigilant about whatever he eat or did. 

Although Mr Mokane said blood donors should be recognised, he said it must always be voluntary. 

“It is high time that government comes up with a donor reward programme that allows donors to earn points redeemable for a variety of thank you items. Without their kind generosity, many patients would not be alive today. We believe that every donation counts,” he said. 

He said one needed to feel appreciated and important every time they gave blood, explaining that the increase in blood usage was a serious problem in Botswana. 

Mr Mokane also stated that some countries that had reached 100 per cent non-remunerated donation offered incentives to recruit blood donors.

He encouraged Batswana to donate blood because the country needed approximately 45 000 units of blood every year. Ends