By Chisomo Phiri
The Malawi Blood Transfusion Service(MBTS) says it is facing a critical blood shortage due to a decline in blood donations across the country.
Speaking during the World Blood Donor Day commemoration at Area 25 Health Centre in Lilongwe on Saturday,MBTS Blood Donor Manager, Mervis Chirwa,said the low turnout is largely attributed to fear and cultural beliefs surrounding blood donation.
She said for the year 2024/25, the target was to collect 130 000 units of blood, but they only collected 112 740 units.
“At the moment, we don’t have stable blood stocks in our national blood bank because many people are still scared to donate blood due to myths and hearsays surrounding blood donation.
“It is mostly the youth, especially those in schools aged 16 to 25 who donate blood and this happens only when schools are in session,” said Chirwa.
She urged the working class to also adopt a culture of blood donation to save lives.
“We are encouraging the working class to be generous and find time to donate blood as well,” added Chirwa.
On his part,Malawi Red Cross Society(MRCS ) Head of Health and Social Services Dan Kapombosola, said their organization is working tirelessly to promote blood donation in local communities by providing essential information and demystifying the blood donation process.
Kapombosola emphasized the importance of collective efforts to ensure a steady blood supply.
World Blood Donor Day is commemorated annually on June 14 to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors for their voluntary and life-saving gifts of blood.
The first commemoration was held in 2004 by the World Health Organization (WHO ), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Federation of Blood Donor Organisations (IFBDO) and the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT).
According to WHO, the commemoration is also a timely moment to address continued challenges and accelerate progress towards a future where safe blood transfusion is universally accessible.
This year, the day was commemorated under the theme ‘Give blood, give hope: together we can save lives’.
