HARARE South constituency Legislator, Honorable Tongai Mafidi Mnangagwa has implored Zimbabweans and other parliamentarians to consider giving blood as a way of giving back to society.
By Michael Gwarisa
Speaking to HealthTimes on the side-lines of the World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) commemorations blood drive at the NBSZ Joina City branch, Hon Mnangagwa said giving blood should be prioritised by every responsible citizen as it goes a long way in helping the needy at a time when demand for blood has gone up.
“I am giving blood because I want to save lives. If I can make a difference in the community by donating blood then this would be the difference. Even before I became a politician and a member of parliament i was giving blood already. I only became a member of parliament in the last election in 2018.
“I think giving blood is a very noble thing to do, if you can save lives and if you can make a difference, that little difference will indeed help other people. I would encourage everyone who can donate to come forward and donate, if us the leaders can do it, then others will follow. This is actually my third time giving blood,” said Hon Mnangagwa.
Blood in Zimbabwe was declared free in all public health institutions in 2018 and demand has been very high lately. The National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has however been tasked to collect not less than 108, 405 units of blood in 2019.
The World Blood Donor Day commemorations in Zimbabwe kicked off on a high note amidst indications that donors from various parts of the country thronged various blood donation clinics to give the precious gift of blood.
A survey done by HealthTimes in Harare indicates that, by 8:00 in the morning donors were already knocking at NBSZ blood clinics doors both at the Joina and Mazowe Street branches. At Joina City, a total of 25 donors had come through by 2pm.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is also participating at the World Blood Donor Day event in Rwanda.
