Medical charity urges communities to donate blood

The medical charity, Médecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) has urged communities to run regular blood donation campaign in order to help save patients in critical conditions and in need of urgent blood transfusion.

“MSF encourages everyone, particularly healthy individuals between the ages of 18-65, to donate blood regularly. This is important to ensure that patients in need receive the care they deserve,” Charity Kamau, MSF Project Coordinator in Bentiu said on Wednesday during celebration of World Blood Donor Day.

“MSF can provide medicines and medical care, but the only way to obtain the vital and life-saving fluid, blood, is for the community to come together and donate,” Kamau said.

Kamau said the communities need to retain existing blood donation campaign to ensure sufficient and regular blood supplies for patients in need, citing that awareness need to be raise about the importance of blood donation and  as well address the existing misconceptions.

“A single blood donation can potentially save up to three lives. Blood transfusions play a crucial role in patients’ survival and recovery, making blood donation a critical aspect of healthcare,” she said.

MSF hospital in Bentiu conducts an average of 65 vital blood transfusions each month, mostly to children and expectant mothers who have lost blood during labour, and has often relied on the relatives of the patients who donate readily to replenish the resource.

Peter Achot, 45, who donated blood for the first time in 2021 said he had to donate blood for his relative, but he never thought of donating again. Citing that his second donation is triggered by MSF community outreach campaign.

 “My decision to donate again after many years was triggered by MSF community outreach teams spreading messages about blood donation some weeks back. I’m 45 years old but in the years to come as long I’m in good health, I’ll keep sharing my blood with those in need,” said Achot.

 Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an international independent organization said medical facilities need stable blood supplies throughout the year to avoid both shortages and surpluses, as blood expires.