The Sunday News
JOHN Tallach and Thekwane high schools in Matabeleland North and South provinces respectively, came out tops in donating blood in the year 2014.
The schools took part in the National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) drive to source as much blood as possible from schoolchildren and were the best in their provinces. The schools have been applauded for providing safe blood that can save lives.
Speaking at a prize-giving ceremony for Thekwane High School in Plumtree, the guest of honour, Bishop Wilfred Dimingu from the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe (Bulawayo District), said he was impressed by the performance of the schoolchildren and told them to safeguard their health.
“I want to urge young people to desist from living careless lives that may affect their health as blood donations can only be done by healthy people. Alcohol and drugs are some of the things that affect your health,” he said.
Bishop Dimingu said pupils should desist from taking intoxicating substances as these have affected the health of many young people making them ineligible to be blood donors.
According to NBSZ, 70 percent of the blood used in Zimbabwe is sourced from schoolchildren.
Bishop Dimingu said he was concerned about the adult population that was not forthcoming in donating blood and promised to encourage adults at his church to donate.
“As the bishop of the Methodist church in Bulawayo I would like to assure NBSZ that I shall use every opportunity I get in my church to conscientise the Methodist community on the need to donate blood as part of our social responsibility as a church,” he said.
Last year Thekwane High School was the national champion in the donation of blood but missed the mark this year.
“We are confident we will scoop the national prize next year as we will work even harder to donate more blood,” said the school head, Mr Salani Ndlovu.
Mr Godfery Matose, a team leader at the NBSZ, said he was grateful for the support they had been receiving from schools over the years. He also said there was stiff competition among schools in the Matabeleland provinces to win the top accolades as they were improving each year.
At John Tallach High School in Ntabazinduna, the school head, Mr Bonakele Ncube, said his school was a living example of people that give life to others.
“We give life to others, we are an example of people who save others and our blood is given to all people who need it and we are proud of ourselves. Active citizens assist those in need,” he said.
Mr Ncube said other schools in the province had been saying his school was outdoing them in academics and even in blood donations.
“I encourage other schools to donate blood and see the outcome. You do not need intelligence to donate blood, they can equally scoop prizes if they just commit themselves,” he said.
Thekwane and John Tallach high schools as part of their prizes each won two desktop computers, two internet dongles, a laptop, a printer, 100 branded t-shirts, trophies, foodstuffs and certificates courtesy of sponsors, NetOne.
NetOne regional account manager for Bulawayo and Matabeleland provinces Mrs Elmah Dube, who was representing chief executive officer Mr Reward Kangai, said citizens should realise the need to have an adequately stocked blood bank.
“Mothers lose blood while delivering and all patients can be in need of blood when they have various conditions.
“So, basically, the life you save while donating blood can be yours, your sister or mother,” he said.
NBSZ Matabeleland region public relations officer Mr Sifundo Ngwenya encouraged more schools to donate blood.
“I urge the students to donate towards the blood bank so as to save lives. Be persistent and consistent in this endeavour,” he said.
