Save a Life-Donate Blood

ELIZABETH JOSEPH
Nasovoye kamwangha and Sandy Kamati



Donating blood has become part of Jan Mohr Secondary School learner’s routine.

On the 06th September 2019 the Namibian Blood transfusion Service of Namibia (NAMBTS) had its blood donation that took place in the school hall.

Jan Mohr Secondary School has been a constant member in the blood donation association. The Jan Mohr Secondary School learners use blood donations as a way of giving back. Donating blood does not only save lives but also helps you know all your conditions and blood types.

Learners are first allowed to take an iron test before they could move on to something else as this helps them know if people have enough iron in their bodies and later check the learners weight for them to be able to donate blood. A learner should be at least 50kg and above to be able to donate blood.

Nsala Sihope a grade 9 learner who is a donor said that he donates blood to try and save someone’s life and prolong their happiness.

“Just knowing that I have saved someone’s life is the best feeling, donating blood is a choice not a demand. Do it willingly and you will see how happy you will feel. By this you are actually saving a live if not lives,” he said.

Blood donation is a major concern to the society as donated blood is life saving for individuals who need it. Blood is scary.

There is a shortage in active blood donors to meet the needs of increased blood demand. Blood donations are a therapeutic exercise.

In Windhoek approximately 10 schools donate blood every year. One of the biggest challenges to blood safety particularly is accessing safe and adequate quantities of blood safety and blood products.

Safe supply of blood and blood components is essential, to enable a wide range of critical care procedures to be carried out in hospitals. Interactive awareness on blood donation should be organised to create awareness and opportunities for blood donations, this will encourage individuals to donate blood more often.