20 Jan 2020

The Member of Parliament for Maun East Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile has pledged to lead a campaign for blood donation in the Ngamiland region.

Mr Kekgonegile made the pledge during a blood donation drive event organised by First National Bank Botswana (FNBB) Maun on January 19.

The blood donation event was coupled with wellness activities which started with a walk and aerobics.

Mr Kekgonegile observed that statistics from the Ngami District Health Management Team (DHMT) showed low turn up of blood donors which called for leadership support.

He said he would engage with his fellow MPs in the Ngamiland region to mobilise a blood donation initiative. 

Mr Kekgonegile also commended the FNBB Maun for the blood donation drive as part of the bank’s Social Corporate Responsibility.

A nurse from Blood Donation Unit in Maun, Mr Life Sambambi said the Blood Donation Unit was concerned by poor turn up of donors.Mr Sambambi said the unit had only managed to collect about half of their target in the Ngamiland region.

He said they had collected only 1050 blood units in 2019 and 1483 units in 2018 out of their 2640 units target for the region.

Mr Sambambi said only half of the national target had also been achieved for the past six years.

He therefore said they appreciated assistance through blood donation drives like the FNBB campaign.Mr Sambambi observed that blood donation was critical for life-threatening situations where some patients required transfusions.

FNBB Branch Administration Officer, Mr Fernando Moiphetsodi said the event was meant to assist the blood donation unit which would subsequently benefit patients in need.

Mr Moiphetsodi said that the financial institution was concerned by issues that affected the community including shortage of blood at blood banks.

For his part, Mr Obert Morgan of Obert fitness encouraged the attendants especially women to engage in physical activities to guard against non-communicable diseases.

Mr Morgan said lack of fitness and poor diet resulted in challenges such as low productivity at work.

He said the situation could be turned around by investing in one’s health. ENDS