SAVE LIVES AND DONATE BLOOD

Sir,

There are three kinds of people, those who make things happen, those who watch things happening and those who wonder what happened. An unknown author once said, we are in this planet to help each other, but if you cannot, at least don’t hurt them. The author made it clear that helping each other is one of the aspects we are supposed to show to everyone.
Last week, Tuesday June 14, the country joined the world in commemorating the World Blood Donor Day. This year’s theme was ‘Donating blood is an act of solidarity’. According to news sources, the Ministry of Health of the country visited Buhleni to educate and encourage the nation to donate blood on the mentioned day.

Applauded

Interviewed by EBIS personnel late on that day, a healthcare personnel, Calvin Dlamini, applauded pupils from various schools around Buhleni for the positive response showed towards the event. He said they showed that they were knowledgeable about the issue of donating blood. He further encouraged the nation at large to visit the blood banks available in the country to donate blood. A blood donor can be able to donate once after three months for the body to be able to make more blood. A blood donation occurs when a person voluntarily has blood drawn and used for transfusions and/or made into biopharmaceutical medications by a process called fractionation. You may not have enough money to donate, you may have no extra part of the body to donate, but donating blood is an exercise that you can part-take in.

Donating

When donating blood, the donor will get a free blood analysis and be notified of their blood type. Knowing your blood type will help you in various ways when dealing with your health issues in future. If a patient were to go to a doctor’s office to find out their blood type or get a blood analysis it is not free, however, as a blood donor, it’s completely free. Brianna Flavin, who is a Content Writer for Collegis Education, said while there are several physical benefits for donating blood, the most powerful health benefit is arguably in the psychological realm. Psalms 112 verse 5 part A says: “It is well with the man who is generous”, which means being a donor will make one simple qualify for a blessing from God. It is worth noting that the Ministry of Health currently has only two blood banks in the country, in Manzini and Mbabane to be precise.

Opportunity

This does not mean people from other parts of the country are deprived an opportunity to donate blood. During the interview, the healthcare personnel went on to explain that in some hospitals they have certain teams who are responsible for assisting willing blood donors. In addition to that, he said people are encouraged to form groups of 10 or more and call the ministry to their area to receive donated blood. With that said, the Ministry of Health is requested to make sure that the centres of donating blood are added to other parts of the country.
This will make it easier for people who are willing to donate blood. Mtshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, has urged African governments to prioritise national blood transfusion services.

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