The Sunday News
Leonard Ncube , Victoria Falls Reporter
RESIDENTS in Victoria Falls recently responded positively to the inaugural blood donation exercise with the National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) collecting more than its target of 200 pints in two days.
There was interest across all age groups with 16-year-olds among the donors. However, of note was the fact that a majority of donors came from the low-density suburbs indicating the need for more awareness among residents in high-density suburbs.
This is the first time NBSZ, established in 1958, conducted a public blood collection exercise in Victoria Falls because the area was a malaria red zone while the distance from the Bulawayo office also made the idea uneconomical. NBSZ southern region executive covering Matabeleland provinces and Midlands Mr Ntuthuko Nyathi, said the response was encouraging.
“Word went out and people responded with enthusiasm which makes us happy because it’s the first time. We had not been coming here because of malaria and distance and under normal circumstances, we cover a radius of about 150km from office and we would break even at 40 units.
But with Covid-19 lockdowns, our traditional sources like schools were closed for a long time and this meant we now needed to go beyond that capacity. So Shannon and friends managed to mobilise for this exercise and we are happy for the support. Our target is 200 units and on Friday we got 76 units,” said Mr Nyathi.
He said people between the ages of 16 and 59 were eligible to donate if their weight is above 50kg and without chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and others. Breastfeeding mothers can only donate when a child is more than six months while a person who has been vaccinated has to wait for two weeks after the second jab.
Those with low iron levels cannot donate while persons with tattoos on the body are regarded as risk groups and have to wait for six months from day of incineration before they can give blood because of harmful chemicals inserted into the body through the incineration. Mrs Shannon O’Fee-Kidia who organised the exercise commended Victoria Falls residents for coming out in numbers saying a positive response will lead to opening of a permanent NBSZ office.
“Friday was good and we had 76 donors which is exciting considering this is the first time. Depending on numbers, we will start negotiating with NBSZ to come for the second time. Our goal is to finally have a clinic for NBSZ here.
We encourage people to give blood because one pint can save three lives,” said Mrs O’Fee-Kidia, who runs a charity organisation Mummy’s Angels.
She led a team of volunteers who mobilised resources that facilitated the two day exercise.
