The Sunday Mail
Wallace Ruzvidzo
Sunday Mail Correspondent
THE National Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has launched a campaign to collect 9 750 units of blood to ensure there is adequate stock in the country ahead of the festive season.
One unit of blood is 525ml, which is roughly the equivalent of one pint.
Speaking at the launch of the Festive Season Virtual Campaign, NBSZ spokesperson Ms Esther Massundah said the demand for blood and blood products usually peaks during the end of year holiday season.
The campaign will run under the theme “We are stronger together, NBSZ @62 and Pledge 25 @25 #Safe blood saves lives”.
The national blood bank intends to create a five-day blood stock level for the holiday season.
“Covid-19 has presented many challenges for blood services around the world and has called on the NBSZ to look for more innovative ways to collect blood and the need to integrate Covid-19 in planning,” said Ms Massundah.
“The 2020 festive season campaign is being planned against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic and strict guidelines set by authorities on gatherings.
“This period is usually marred by high incidences of road carnage, so there is high demand for blood and blood products by health institutions.”
December, she said, will be set aside as Youth Donor Month under the NBSZ Pledge 25 Club — an association of young people who pledge to regularly donate blood at least 25 times by the age of 30 years.
“The month of December is set aside as Youth Donor Month through the youth wing of the Pledge 25 Club Zimbabwe.
“An initiative of the NBSZ, the club has grown over the years.”
Mutare-based senior blood donor and influencer Mr Japheas Mundondo said donating blood can save lives by ensuring the national bank is adequately stocked.
“When you give blood you are giving someone life and without a reliable blood bank we will lose a lot of lives,” said Mr Mundondo.
“Everyone should be making donations to save millions of lives.
“As we go through the festive season, it is everyone’s responsibility to save lives.
“So let us keep donating and let us keep saving lives.”
NBSZ Masvingo branch head Ms Mariah Machimbidzofa said 7 147 units of blood had been collected in the province this year, against a projected target of 9 730.
“The use of our call centre has helped a lot.
“WhatsApp groups were opened for donor recruitment using the peer promoters and contact persons who recruit from their communities,” she said.
