Malawi Blood Transfusion Services (MBTS) for the Eastern Region branch has organized a four-day blood collection campaign. The campaign is being organized in Mangochi District to boost its blood banks and ensure availability of safe and adequate blood in all district hospital facilities in the regions.
Blood availability is crucial for emergency situations, which can, in the absence of adequate arrangement, even escalate negatively. The lack of availability can put emergency treatment in jeopardy.
Blood donation, as a practice is connected to a number of health benefits, and can greatly reduce the risk of cardiac arrest or associated cardiac events. The exercise started last Monday and is scheduled to be conducted in different places for the rest of its duration.
The locations for the exercise are Mangochi Township, Monkey-bay, Chamtulo and Madelco.
Speaking during an interview, Assistant Public Relations Officer for Eastern Region MBTS, McLoyd Kudzingo, appealed to the public and all eligible blood donors to come in large numbers and participate in donating blood to reach the demand.
“We have high expectations that after four days as planned, our team will manage to reach the target and be able to collect 400 units from all four centers collectively,” said kudzingo.
He further said that the exercise will also be conducted in the schools and other trading centres to maximize the opportunities of reaching the demand for blood that hospitals have.
A 24th time blood donor, Bright Dillie described the activity as lifesaving, and he encouraged those with misconceptions about blood donation to cast away those myths as the process of blood donation is not dangerous.
“It has been my wish to save someone’s life through blood donation and every time I take part in blood donation my spirit is lifted since I get the relief that someone’s life has been saved with my blood,” said Dillie.
Speaking in a separate interview, health expert, Maziko Matemba encouraged Malawians to develop a habit of donating blood regularly since blood plays a crucial role in the human body.