NORTHERN PROVINCE

MUSANZE — Rwandans have been urged to donate blood voluntarily in an attempt to save millions of lives and improve the health and quality of life of patients.

This was the message delivered by the officials from the Ministry of Health to hundreds of residents who turned up to mark the World Blood Donor Day held in Busogo, Musanze District on Sunday. As part of the celebrations, scores of residents turned up to donate blood.

This year’s theme called for achieving 100% Voluntary Non-remunerated Donation of Blood and Blood Components in order to help others.

Dr Bonaventure Nzeyimana, who represented the Minister of Health at the function, said Rwandans should develop a culture of donating blood in order to help those in critical conditions, while seeking guarantee of getting blood when they also want it.

Nzeyimana, urged residents to live healthy lives by ensuring proper hygiene, good feeding and seeking timely medication whenever they fall sick.

The World Blood Donor Day, which is marked annually on June 14, provides opportunity to thank those very special people who help to raise awareness about the need for more support.

During the occasion, five people who had previously donated blood for over 20 consecutive times and two who have donated blood for 30 times were given assorted gifts as a token of appreciation.

On the same day, a Centre for Regional Blood Transfusion-CRTS in Ruhengeri was also inaugurated. It was constructed with funding from CDC-Centre for Disease Control in partnership with PEPEFAR.

Health officials say that every person is capable of donating blood provided he/she is aged between17 and 65 years, with a body weight of 53 kg and above- provided the individual is in good health, and not involved in risky lifestyles.

There is broad international support to raise awareness of the need for safe blood donation around the world. During the function an official from the World Health Organization encouraged eligible individuals to donate blood regularly so that blood is readily available for all who need it when required.

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