Chronicle Editor
Mthabisi Tshuma, Chronicle Writer
IT was a hive of activity at Redan Petroleum along Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street and 15th Avenue on Friday as Bulawayo residents flocked the service station where they were rewarded with a five-litre fuel coupon for donating blood to boost the national blood bank.
The partnership between Redan Petroleum and National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) comes for the second time after last year in January.
It is meant to assist NBSZ in collecting blood to boost critically low stocks.
As of Tuesday, NBSZ reported that it is operating with a critically low supply of Blood Group 0 following a surge in festive season demand amid calls for eligible citizens to urgently donate blood and save lives.
More than 52 percent of Zimbabweans are in Blood Group 0 and the rest are in groups A, B, and AB.
Those in Group O can donate to people in blood groups A and B, but they can only be transfused with blood from those in their group. A pint of blood can save three lives and blood is usually needed by mainly pregnant women during delivery, accident victims, and patients requiring surgery.
The festive season is a high blood demand period as it comes with an increase in road traffic accidents, which leave many in need of blood transfusions.
Statistics from the police show that 92 people died in road traffic accidents in 13 days while 464 others were injured countrywide since the start of the festive season. The country recorded 1 195 festive season accidents from December 15 to December 27. Of the recorded accidents, 61 were fatal leading to the death of 92 people and 464 sustaining injuries.
School children account for more than 70 percent of blood donors, and following the extended closure of schools as part of measures to contain the spread of Covid-19, very little blood is being collected.
The initiative came after reports that the nation has been hit by a critical shortage of blood group type O.
Chronicle news crew visited the garage around midday and observed scores of people in queues while some were being served. The people’s ages ranged from around 18 to 50.
NBSZ donor coordinator Mr Sifundo Ngwenya said they are grateful for the timely partnership with the fuel retailer.
“We are here at Redan where we are running a blood drive that has been sponsored thanks to Redan partnering with NBSZ. We are trying to recoup and collect as much blood today since our blood stocks are now on the low side during the course of the holiday and the usage was very high,” said Mr Ngwenya.
NBSZ southern region executive Mr Ntuthuko Nyathi said they are targeting to collect 200 units.
“During this time of year, we are particularly on a low level of blood collections because the schools contribute a lot. We are thankful to Redan and we are targeting to collect 200 units and we have so far collected 130 units by 1pm,” said Mr Nyathi.
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