adminSifundiso Ndlovu Chronicle Reporter
THE MINISTER of State for Provincial Affairs for Bulawayo, Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo has appealed to adults to donate blood as statistics from the National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) show that they contribute 29 percent of the donated blood.
In a speech read on her behalf by her personal assistant Tswagai Marovatsanga during the belated provincial World Blood Donor Day commemorations in Bulawayo yesterday, Cde Moyo bemoaned the current state where adults use 80 percent of the donated blood yet they donate only 29 percent.
“According to the statistics provided by the National Blood Services Zimbabwe, youths continue to be the leading contributor to the national blood bank, contributing over 70 percent while adults contribute 29 percent yet they consume 80 percent of the blood,” she said.
NBSZ spokesperson Sifundo Ngwenya said they suspected that adults were inconvenienced by being at work while some feared that they will find out that they are HIV positive.
“We have taken into consideration that adults go to work and that some may fear finding out that they are HIV positive.
“We are now working with churches, the local leadership and other civil society organisations to boost adult blood donations. A slight improvement has been recorded as a result of our efforts,” said Ngwenya.
He said there were efforts to ensure that donors are not lost after they finish school.
“The pledge 25 programme is aimed at keeping blood donors after they leave schools and ensuring that they don’t drop out once they finish school,” said Ngwenya.
World Blood Donor Day is commemorated globally every year on June 14.
The national commemorations were held at Chinhoyi last week and addressed by the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe who appealed to more people to donate blood to ensure that there is sufficient blood in the national bank.
This year’s commemorations were held under the theme “Safe blood for saving Mothers”.
Online Reporter