Botswana has attained a hundred percent (100%) voluntary unpaid blood donors, Minister Dikoloti revealed. The target was set to be achieved by the year 2020 by World Health Organization (WHO).
“The World Health Organization (WHO) had a global goal of 100% voluntary unpaid blood donors by 2020; and as Botswana we are proud that we have attained 100% donation from voluntary and unpaid blood donors” the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Edwin Dikoloti proclaimed.
Although, Botswana has achieved such remarkable milestone, it is reported that most of the blood donation come from high-income countries. Up to Forty-two percent (42%) of the blood donations come from the Sixteen percent (16%) population housed by the high-income countries.
Speaking on the occasion of the commemoration of World Blood Donor Day, Dr. Dikoloti hailed those who continue with a selfless act to donate blood, as well as urging the nation, especially the youth to donate even more.
“In our endeavor to increase blood collections, we therefore call on all young people in the country to come forth to donate blood. At this juncture, I wish to give a special thanks to our youth club, “Pledge 25 Club Botswana” which embraced the humanitarian call to donate blood and keeping on inspiring other youth to do the same. Having a youth club which regularly donate blood gives us a pool of voluntary blood donors and also helps in recruitment of their peers, for blood donation and leading healthy lifestyles.” he pleaded.
The youth make a larger percentage of the population in Botswana and the whole world, as such the success of the blood donation depends on the youth’s generosity and compassion.
This year’s commemoration was held under the theme “Give blood and keep the world beating.” The World Blood Donor Day was declared by World Health Assembly in 2005. It is designated a special day to thank blood donors and to encourage more people to give blood freely.
