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Every day, about 800 women suffer from childbirth-related complications and subsequently die. Severe bleeding during delivery or after childbirth is the most common cause of maternal mortality and contributes to a staggering 34 percent of maternal deaths in Africa.
Blood transfusion has been identified by the World Health Organisation as one of the nine key life-saving interventions for the prevention and management of pregnancy-related complications.
To help save lives, the WHO, the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the National Blood Service Zimbabwe commemorate World Blood Donor Day on 14 June.
The day is marked with events throughout the country to raise awareness of the need of safe blood and blood products for mothers. “I’m alive today because of blood. I was so negative about donating blood and I would never have received anyone else’s blood but I faced a complication during childbirth and I needed to receive six units of blood.
Donated blood saved my life,” explained a mother from Gweru.
One blood donation can be broken down into several components thus impacting up to three lives. It is estimated that over 60 percent of the population will need blood at some time in their lives, yet less than 5 percent of the population donates. These numbers are even more pronounced in areas that have limited or poor access to health care services.
A stable base of regular, voluntary and unpaid adult and youth blood donors is needed to achieve an adequate and reliable blood supply. Many of the initiatives of the NBSZ work to dispel myths and the common misperceptions regarding blood donation.
“Right now, the challenge with blood donation is the adult population. Adults have misperceptions or are afraid of donating blood. That can pose a challenge; 70 percent of our collections come from the youth population. To be able to sustain the blood supply we need both adults and youths to contribute,” said Esther Masunda, public affairs manager for the National Blood Service Zimbabwe.
“People are also afraid of what will happen. Will I faint, will I be ok? But the process is completely safe and just takes 15 minutes,” Masunda adds.
The safety of donated blood is another common concern but the NBSZ screens all blood for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis prior to transfusion.
Only sterile, disposable equipment is used throughout the donation process, which makes it virtually impossible to contract a disease from donating blood.
“There are four types of blood. They are classified as types A, B, AB and O. We have been able to meet demands and adequately supply the hospitals but we sometimes have challenges with blood group O,” explained Masunda.
Donated blood also improves the longevity and quality of life for patients suffering from other life-threatening health conditions and improves the outcomes of emergency medical procedures.
Very rarely is just one unit of blood used in these circumstances.
Donating blood is also a safe and healthy thing to do. Commonly you will receive vital checks such as blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature and iron levels.
Not only do you help someone in need but you also receive vital health statistics about yourself.
Give blood today, you can save a life. For further information, visit the National Blood Service Zimbabwe’s website: www.nbsz.co.zw or call toll-free 0800 4116.
Join the conversation @WHOAFRO and @NBSZbloodbank using the hashtag #GiveBlood. Follow the World Blood Donor Day tweets and retweet those of interest to your own networks.
- The writer is a doctor and an international health columnist that works in collaboration with the World Health Organisation’s goals of disease prevention and control. Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement.
Online Reporter