The National Centre for Blood Transfusion (NCBT) has acquired two apheresis machines that use high precision technology to separate blood components during donation.

The machines, worth €500,000 (about Rwf405 million), were unveiled on Sunday as Rwanda marked the World Blood Donor Day.

The State Minister for Public Health and Primary Healthcare urged Rwandans to embrace blood donation as a personal obligation. The minister’s call should be taken seriously by every citizen who qualifies to donate blood. 

Having a well stocked blood bank is a necessity for the country’s health system to function properly. Without a reliable blood bank, the lives of many Rwandans, especially accident victims and expectant mothers, are put in danger.

Hundreds of women die every day worldwide due to bleeding after delivery. We should not have a situation where patients die in hospitals because there was no blood to save their precious lives.

Besides, no one knows when they will need this blood themselves. It could be you or your loved one who will need the blood one day. So by donating blood you are securing the life of your loved one, if not your own.

As Rwanda becomes the fifth country in sub-Saharan Africa to use apheresis machines in blood donation after South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Ghana, we should respond by seeing to it that our health facilities have enough blood for any emergencies. 

So, go out today and donate blood because it is everyone’s responsibility.