Namibians urged to donate blood
The Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia (NamBTS) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) commemorated World Blood Donor Day this week, a platform that organisers used to urge Namibians to donate more blood.
According to NamBTS, the day focused on thanking blood donors who save lives every day through their voluntary blood donations and strongly encouraging more people all over the world, and in particular Namibia, to donate blood voluntarily and regularly.
The slogan for the 2023 World Blood Donor Day campaign is 'Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often'.
"It focuses on patients requiring life-long transfusion support and underlines the role every single person can play by giving the valuable gift of blood or plasma."
The blood donor organisation added that the day also highlights the importance of giving blood or plasma regularly to create a safe and sustainable supply of blood and blood products that can always be available, all over the world, so that all patients in need can receive timely treatment.
Life-giving service
NamBTS added that access to a secure blood supply based on voluntary, unpaid donations is vital for patients, including many who require lifelong and regular transfusions for conditions such as sickle-cell anaemia and thalassemia.
"Voluntary unpaid plasma donations also play an important part in supporting patients with a wide range of long-term conditions such as haemophilia and immune deficiencies," NamBTS stressed.
Action today
Today, NamBTS will host a street parade covering a distance of 2.2 km along Independence Avenue. The procession will commence at 10:00 opposite the police station and end at the NamBTS head office in Windhoek.
"The need for blood is universal, but access to blood for all those who need it is not. Blood shortages are particularly acute in low- and middle-income countries," the organisation pointed out.
According to NamBTS, the day focused on thanking blood donors who save lives every day through their voluntary blood donations and strongly encouraging more people all over the world, and in particular Namibia, to donate blood voluntarily and regularly.
The slogan for the 2023 World Blood Donor Day campaign is 'Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often'.
"It focuses on patients requiring life-long transfusion support and underlines the role every single person can play by giving the valuable gift of blood or plasma."
The blood donor organisation added that the day also highlights the importance of giving blood or plasma regularly to create a safe and sustainable supply of blood and blood products that can always be available, all over the world, so that all patients in need can receive timely treatment.
Life-giving service
NamBTS added that access to a secure blood supply based on voluntary, unpaid donations is vital for patients, including many who require lifelong and regular transfusions for conditions such as sickle-cell anaemia and thalassemia.
"Voluntary unpaid plasma donations also play an important part in supporting patients with a wide range of long-term conditions such as haemophilia and immune deficiencies," NamBTS stressed.
Action today
Today, NamBTS will host a street parade covering a distance of 2.2 km along Independence Avenue. The procession will commence at 10:00 opposite the police station and end at the NamBTS head office in Windhoek.
"The need for blood is universal, but access to blood for all those who need it is not. Blood shortages are particularly acute in low- and middle-income countries," the organisation pointed out.
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