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Malawi to commemorate World Blood Donor Day

Malawi Blood Transfusion Services (MBTS) in collaboration with Ministry of Health and Blood Donors Association of Malawi will join the international community in commemorating the World Blood Donor Day which falls on June 14.

The theme for this year’s event is Safe Blood for Saving Mothers and will be held on Saturday at Gymkhana Club ground in Zomba.

A patient gets a blood sample taken
A patient gets a blood sample taken

Speaking at a media briefing at O’Dala Centre in Blantyre, MBTS chief executive officer Natasha Nsamala said they will use the commemoration to call for more blood donations, noting that the demand for blood is still high.

“The event will also give us a chance to recognise and award long-time blood donors for their heroic acts and also sensitise people on the significance of donating blood,” said Nsamala.

She said shortage of blood in hospitals leads to about 800 women worldwide dying every day during childbirth and half of these deaths occur in the sub-Saharan region.

“The likely cause of maternal deaths is bleeding; so, we can save more lives by making sure people donate blood,” she said.

Nsamala added that they are conducting a study to establish reasons most Malawians do not donate blood and how they can counter the problem.

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