ONGWEDIVA - More than 1 000 learners from various schools in northern Namibia have donated blood during the first term of 2022, the Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia confirmed this week. With blood shortages experienced around Namibia due to a drop in blood collections and increased demand from hospitals, NAMBTS spokesperson Titus Shivute emphasised that getting new donors is crucial to maintaining an adequate supply of blood.

“Among the 1 044 donors that donated during the first term, 700 donated for the very first time. This shows growth among donors in the northern regions and will go a long way in improving the proportion of Namibians who donate blood in the country,” Shivute stated.

He added that less than one percent of the Namibian population donate blood annually, making it even more difficult for NAMBTS to ensure a constant sufficient supply of blood to hospitals. “We have tried to address this through key strategic approaches and getting more healthy young people such as students and learners to donate regularly is a priority for us. An average of close to 200 blood donations are needed daily to help,” Shivute commented.

Shivute said NAMBTS hosted training for selected learners, trainees and students in various parts of the country, including the northern regions to educate them and ultimately help improve blood collections for the mobile donation sessions held at the educational institutions.

These learners have taken on a role as peer promoters and have been educating other learners and students on the importance of donating blood regularly.

At the end of the programme, all learners who have participated will receive a certificate of recognition as well as a letter of recommendation from NAMBTS which they can add to their curriculum vitae. “We thank each and every donor who has donated this year and we encourage all Namibians who are eligible to donate blood to do so on a regular basis,” Shivute concluded.