The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Edwin Dikoloti says blood donation culture has lost popularity. Dikoloti has revealed that since the outbreak of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, few people has come forward to donate blood.
“Since the outbreak of COVID-19, our collections have been declining with each day that passes. As at the beginning of November 2021, we have only collected 18 640 blood units, which is even way lower than what we have been collecting over the years.” Dikoloti announced.
According to the Minister, the Ministry of Health and Wellness has been able to receive Twenty-six thousand (26 000) units of blood from blood donors annually, against the targeted requirement of Forty-five thousand (45 000) units.
Speaking on the occasion of the official launch of Hack4Blood drive collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Wellness and Spectrum Analytics, Minister Dikoloti urged the nation to donate blood.
“Continued absence of blood in the bodies of those who need blood donation can cause some health complications including those that can affect some critical organs like kidneys, spleen and the liver. It is for this reason that we must always overemphasize the importance of donating blood, in order that many lives in need of such blood are saved and possible health complications averted.” the Minister highlighted.
Spectrum Analytics is expected to lead multiple campaigns to mobilize people to donate blood, through collaboration with the Ministry. This collaboration is known as the Hack4Blood project. Given low levels of blood donations, the Ministry then decided to look for opportunities for collaborations with any organizations or sectors that could help mobilize people to donate blood.
Minister Dikoloti has further called on to other stakeholders to come forward and help in National blood donation drive. “Hack4Blood is not only limited to the current stakeholders, thus everyone, including the media, is welcome to bring their initiatives on board.” urged Dikoloti.
