BDP NYEC Donates Blood To Save Lives

Daniel Chida

This Wednesday, in a concerted bid to curb the dire shortage of blood in the country, the Botswana Democratic Party National Youth Executive Committee (BDPNYEC) took part in Rail Park Mall’s annual blood donation drive.

The initiative, put together by the mall and the National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS), ran from 13 to 18 February, setting a target of collecting at least 250 units of blood.

Every year, NBTS requires 45, 000 blood units, a mandate given to them by the Ministry of Health.

However, in recent years they have fallen well short of this target, collecting 26, 200 units in 2021 and 26, 400 last year.

BDP NYEC Chairperson, Collen Mochotlhi, who was accompanied by Central Committee member, Leungo Tlhoolebe, as well as party members from University of Botswana (UB) GS 26, said the BDP saw the urgent need to help replenish the country’s blood stocks.

Mochotlhi revealed the BDP is keen to support the campaign, held under the theme ‘Lorato ke Madi’, which calls for Batswana across the country to sign up and donate blood.

“Taking time to donate blood is one thing you can do to help others. This move was spurred by calls we received regarding shortage of blood in the country. The plan is to launch an intensive blood donation drive around all Botswana constituencies in a bid to encourage BDP structures, especially the youth, and Batswana in general to visit the nearest blood collection centre, to donate and save lives,” explained Mochotlhi.

Furthermore, Mochotlhi added, “Donating blood is a voluntary and non-renumerated activity. If the public is not willing, the situation of blood shortages will continue.”

Leave a comment