admin
The commemorations were held under the theme, “Every blood donor is a hero”.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Bulawayo East district administrator Mrs Fungai Nkuziwalela, Ambassador Mathema bemoaned the lack of participation in blood donations by adults who needed blood more than youths.
“Youths continue being the leading contributors to the national collections, contributing over 70 percent with 29 percent coming from adults yet they consume 80 percent of the blood.
“Forty percent of the blood units are consumed by mothers during child birth who need transfusion to save their lives,” said Ambassador Mathema.
He urged adults to change their attitude and donate blood, as it was necessary especially during holidays when most road accidents occur.
The provincial education director for Bulawayo Mr Dan Moyo applauded schools for their contribution in donating blood.
“As the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture we are proud to be the number one blood donor since we all know that schools contribute 60 percent of donated blood. I will also applaud Premier High School for coming out as the best in Bulawayo Metropolitan province,” said Mr Dan Moyo.
A representative from Pledge 25, a youth initiative which is part of the National Blood Services Zimbabwe, MrSindiso Sibanda, said Zimbabwean youths would continue donating blood as it was part of their national obligation to ensure there were enough supplies.
“We as youths are indeed heroes because our organisation within NBSZ, Pledge 25, was started by innovative Zimbabweans. To date it has spread to more than 86 countries around the world.
“We can improve and save lives if we work together as a nation. We wish to see more youths partaking in this life-saving mission as safe blood donors in order to help those in need,” said Mr Sibanda.
Mr Mawere Muchineuta, the branch manager for NBSZ Bulawayo, expressed gratitude to different stakeholders who have contributed to the organisation.
“As we celebrate this day, it is good that we appreciate our friends who have helped us especially the donors themselves who have voluntarily donated. However, we still urge everyone to donate blood as it saves lives because we will never have enough blood.
“We would like to thank the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, FBC, Netone, First Mutual Life, Swiss Red Cross and the World Health Organisation for their support,” said Mr Muchineuta.
The day also saw three best schools from Matabeleland region who donated the highest number of blood units receive computers, shields and Internet modems from Netone.
The schools include Premier High from Bulawayo, Mtshabezi Mission from Matabeleland South and John Tallach Secondary from Matabeleland North.
Online Reporter