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Mthabisi Tshuma, Sunday News Correspondent
MORE than 100 youths in Bulawayo last week donated blood to the National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) Central Business District (CBD) clinic as the organisation moves to stock up for emergencies.
The youths were drawn from churches in Old Pumula, Pumula South, Magwegwe and Mpopoma. In an interview on the sidelines of the blood donations, NBSZ Southern Region public relations officer Mr Sifundo Ngwenya said the response from the youths in the city in donating blood was overwhelming. NBSZ normally collects blood through the Pledge 25 campaign, a programme that encourages young people to donate blood in huge numbers at a particular time.
“We are looking at a brighter side that our stocks in the southern region is enough and able to accommodate health institutions. The facilities have been collecting blood almost daily. The response to donate blood by youths drawn from a local church shows the commitment that youths have in saving lives,” said Mr Ngwenya.
He said the southern region’s bank which covers three provinces, Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South was on green level.
“As the region according to our trafficking system, we are on green. If we are amber, it means we really desire to solicit and look for the blood while if we are red, it means we are in a dire state. We will continue to make efforts to beef up our stocks and keep the blood bank stocked,” he said.
Mr Ngwenya said in light of the coronavirus which was declared a national disaster by President Mnangagwa, they have not yet supplied any blood transfusion to affected patients.
“We have not yet had incidents where we are required to provide blood for a Covid-19 patient. Blood generated from us mostly has to do with accidents and people who may have challenges of blood in general,” said Mr Ngwenya. – @mthabisi_mthire
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