Giving blood saves lives, says MEC
IT IS not every day that one sees an MEC donating blood to raise awareness. Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo did just that this week.
Dhlomo said he wanted to ”lead by example to raise awareness of critical health issues” and donated a pint of blood (half a litre) at the Umlazi Mega City to create awareness of the South African National Blood Service this festive season.
As road accidents tend to increase over the holiday period, Dhlomo believes you should donate blood if you meet the requirements to do so.
The 56-year-old said he began donating blood as a youngster.
“I started donating while at university in the 1980s. It is such a great feeling to know your blood could help save a life. The best present to give this season is the gift of life. Although I might not know who will get the blood, it will have an impact on them.
“There tends to be a rise in accidents over this season and the SANBS needs high volumes of blood. One pint can go a long way towards helping to save a life. If we want to improve people’s lives, it would be a good thing for every 18-year-old to consider giving blood,” said Dhlomo.
He said it was important that health-care professionals were able to act swiftly to help accident victims during the “golden hour”.
He said it was during this period that more people lost profuse amounts of blood that often resulted in death.
“It is events like these that get people excited and motivated. If people see you taking action, they will follow suit. I remember when I ran the Comrades Marathon, I saw an increase in the number of people becoming fitness-conscious and participating in sporting events,” he added.
Dhlomo lost a colleague, Dr Brian Champion, in a horrific accident earlier this month, and another friend, whom he did not want to name, earlier this year.
“The wound is still fresh and I prefer not to discuss it, especially without the permission of his family,” Dhlomo told the Sunday Tribune.
Dhlomo has a busy year ahead.
He said his department would clamp down on illegal abortions and people he described as “health murderers.”
“This is a huge concern – many women face tragic health problems after these operations. Our department will be tackling this head on.
“Illegal abortions undermine the dignity of women and we owe it to them to protect them,” he said.
The 2016 International Aids Conference will be held in Durban next year and Dhlomo expects 20 000 delegates from around the world to attend. There will be a build-up campaign from July.