Zimbabwe World Blood Donor Day commemorations
THE National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) and in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrated the World Blood Donor Day on the 14th June 2017 under the theme ‘Blood Donation in Emergencies’.
As part of the World Blood Donor day commemorations, NBSZ held various activities which began with a pre-awareness march on the 9th of June.
The 14th of June commemorations were marked nationally through NBSZ centres in Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare and Masvingo with the main event being held in Harare where the Guest of Honour was the Honourable Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa who was represented by Dr Lovemore Mbengeranwa.
Other dignitaries present at the main event was the Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province, Honourable M.R Chikukwa; Chairperson Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health Hon. Dr Ruth Labode; Chairperson Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport Hon Cde Dexter Nduna; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health & Child Care, Brigadier General (Dr) Gerald Gwinji; WHO Country Representative, Dr David Okello; Acting Principal Director Curative Services Dr Maxwell Hove, Director City Health Harare Metropolitan Province Dr Prosper Chonzi; Net One represented by Acting CEO Mr Brian Mutandiro; NBSZ Board Chairman Retd Justice Leslie George Smith and NBSZ Medical Director Dr Jean Emmanuel.
NBSZ recognised a total of 162 blood donors who had attained various milestones in blood donation with the highest milestone being two blood donors receiving awards for reaching 250 blood donations. At the same event, NBSZ took the opportunity to also recognise various corporates for the support rendered to the service in 2016 through a corporate award ceremony. National Aids Council of Zimbabwe was awarded with the most outstanding award to NBSZ in 2016.
Speaking at the commemorations on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Lovemore Mbengeranwa emphasised the importance of blood as a vital resource for treating the wounded during emergencies of all kinds such as natural disasters and accidents.
He said this in light of the horror bus crash along the Harare-Chirundu highway that claimed 42 lives on the spot and left others injured.
“This year’s theme “Blood Donation in Emergencies” relates well with the recent national disasters and aims to encourage people to strengthen the emergency preparedness of health services in their communities by donating blood, engage authorities in the establishment of effective national blood programmes with the capacity to respond promptly to the increase in blood demand during emergencies,” he said.
Delivering the WHO Regional Director’s message at the commemorations, the WHO Country Representative, Dr David Okello added that the choice of the theme is particularly significant for the African Region which is most affected by crises and outbreaks, such as the Ebola virus disease epidemic, road traffic accidents, armed conflicts, natural or manmade disasters.
Despite this situation, Dr Okello commended the progress made so far in improving the availability and safety of blood in the African region and especially in Zimbabwe compared to some countries and sub-regions. Zimbabwe screens all units of blood for major transfusion transmitted infections such as HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and C.
“The 2016 report on the status on blood safety and availability in the WHO African Region shows that several countries have improved their blood availability and safety in terms of the World Health Assembly and Regional Committee resolutions on blood safety.”
“Collecting blood from voluntary, unpaid and regular blood donors has been shown to be safer, more effective and more efficient than family replacement donations,” he averred.
Surgeon Dr Kuda Katurura said blood transfusion is an essential component of emergency healthcare. Dr Katurura lauded the NBSZ for ensuring that the health care system remains viable by providing safe adequate blood and blood products to meet the health needs of the people of Zimbabwe.
“To surgeons, blood is key and doctors do not have to cancel patients for theatre because of failure to secure blood which most times is a prerequisite” he said.
The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe Managing Director, Mr Obio Chinyere in his address acknowledged the significance of preparedness when road accident emergencies happen.
“Because of blood donors, lives of the injured needing blood are saved in such emergency cases,” he said.
According to the gazetted upgraded Highway Code document, in the year 2016, 38 620 road accidents were reported; in which 1 720 people were killed and 11 379 injured, with some sustaining permanent disabilities. Of those injured, it is likely that the victims needed a blood transfusion, especially for the fatal cases.
During the commemorations, NetOne’s acting CEO Mr Brian Mutandiro presented the organisation’s cash donation of USD $50 000 to NBSZ. This marked 11 years of support from Net One providing NBSZ with funding for various activities.
Every year on 14 June, Zimbabwe joins the global community to commemorate World Blood Donor Day.
This year’s campaign is focusing on blood donation in emergencies. In any crisis or emergency situation, the natural human response is “What can I do? How can I help?” therefore, the slogan for the 2017 campaign is “What can you do?” with the secondary message “Give blood. Give now. Give often.” ◆ For your questions and answers, please contact Esther Massundah; Public Affairs Manager on 251851, 251854 / 251855-6, 0772162279, 0772162280, 0772162281, 0772162282, 0772162283, 0772162284, 0772162285 or email info@nbsz.co.zw or like our page on Facebook:- @NBSZ bloodbank or follow us on Twitter: - @NBSZbloodbank