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MBTS, MRCS Concerned Over Low Blood Collection

Kilowe Kilowe - pic by Andrew Maneya

Malawi Blood Transfusion Services (MBTS) and Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) have expressed their concern over low blood collection due to covid-19 pandemic and misinformation.

Speaking on Tuesday during blood donation exercise conducted at Lirangwe trading center in Blantyre, assistant spokesperson for the MBTS, Odala Centre, Christina Kilowe, says they are likely to experience deficit in this year’s blood collection.

She said as from January to August this year they have collected about 68, 000 units out of 120, 000 Units which is country’s current requirement per year

“The covid-19 has actually been the setback in this endeavor of ensuring safe and adequacy of blood in Malawi.

“This is so considering that there is misinformation in Malawi that if people go for blood donation, they will be required to get tested and vaccinated against covid-19 pandemic which is not the case as MBTS is not covid-19 testing center,” Kilowe explained.

Meanwhile, Blantyre District Coordinator for Malawi Red Cross Society, Ruth Jere has encouraged Malawians to go for blood donation in order to save lives in that need blood in the hospitals.

“Our plan is to keep on educating community intensify our sensitization so that community should understand the need of donating blood.

“Because blood is needed for all, it is responsibility of everybody who is eligible to donate blood because blood that can be donated today, you may need it tomorrow,” Jere explained.

MRCS with MBTS is implementing blood donor recruitment project through motivating people to donate blood for which MBTS Comes to collect blood after mobilization by the Red Cross.

The exercise is being done in Blantyre, Mzuzu, Lilongwe, Salima and Mzimba districts in the country.

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Last modified on Thursday, 02/09/2021

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