MBTS calls for more awareness on blood donation
The Malawi Blood Transfusion Services (MBTS) has attributed its failure to meet the annual blood requirement target of 80 thousand units to lack of awareness on the importance of voluntary blood donation.
Speaking during a press briefing in Blantyre today ahead of the launch of an awareness week this Saturday, MBTS Chief Executive Officer Natasha Nsamala said the institution only manages to collect an average of 50 thousand units of blood every year.
“The demand for blood in our hospitals is very high and we need to work together to improve the situation, this is why we are appealing to the media to help us raise awareness on blood donation to ensure that blood is available in our hospitals,” said Nsamala.
According to Nsamala, MBTS has only managed to reach 60 percent of the projected target of 10 000 units of blood during previous awareness weeks.
“In December and January, the country requires an extra quantity of blood due to high incidences of malaria induced anemia and road accidents. We therefore conduct blood awareness weeks as we go towards the period to increase stock levels,” she said.
The awareness week will be conducted with financial support from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention under the theme ‘Blood Shortage. Let’s stop it!’
MBTS supplies blood to a total of 87 central and District Hospitals, Rural Health centers, CHAM and Private hospitals that are authorized to carry out blood transfusion across the country.
Individuals from the ages of 16 to 65 are eligible to donate blood.
