Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS) collected at least 17 units of whole blood during a blood donation exercise in Group Village Head (GVH) Chipendo of Senior Chief Chimaliro in Thyolo district in the ongoing August 2021 blood donation campaign in the area.
The exercise has been organized in collaboration with Thyolo District Health Office (DHO), Senior Chief Chimaliro, GVH’s and the Area Development Committee (ADC) as one way of sustaining blood collections during lean period when schools close for end of term holidays and without planned interventions, blood collections are lowest.
GVH Chipendo born Fraction Matiki, welcomed the blood donation activity citing that it ensures the availability of blood in hospitals and hailed MBTS for the strategy.
“I am always compassionate with pregnant women and trauma victims who urgently need blood transfusions, it is for this reason that I am appreciative of the work of MBTS”, he said.
One well-wisher, Andy Bwanaisa, a farmer, donated blood for the first time after hearing radio messages regarding the importance of blood donation which motivated him to do so.
He said it was convenient for him to donate blood when he heard that MBTS was visiting his village for a blood donation exercise.
“People need to know and understand that the donated blood has the ability of saving their fellow countrymen. In life’s own unpredictability, them or their loved ones might benefit from this altruistic act of blood donation,” he said.
The blood donation community campaign will run for three weeks; a total of 15 GVH’s under Senior Chief Chimaliro will be targeted. Ensuring blood adequacy in Malawi remains the responsibility of all stakeholders. Donate blood, keep the world beating.