THE Namibian Blood Transfusion Service (NamBTS) has had a profitable yr regardless of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This was introduced by NamBTS advertising and marketing supervisor Zita Tobin on the annual basic assembly held earlier this week in Windhoek.
In line with Tobin, through the monetary yr from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, NamBTS obtained 41 734 blood donations, a rise of 9,5% from the earlier yr.
Of those, 90% have been entire blood, 9% have been apheresis plasma, and 1% have been apheresis platelets.
“The Namibian inhabitants’s blood donation charge was 14,1 items per 1 000 individuals of the inhabitants, a slight improve of 4% from the earlier yr,” she stated.
Tobin stated the World Well being Organisation reviews that the blood donation charge for many African international locations is between 5,0 and seven,0 items per 1 000 individuals of the inhabitants, whereas South Africa’s charge is eighteen,0.
She stated though the extent of blood donations in Namibia is commendable, it nonetheless falls in need of assembly the nation’s demand for blood.
“The demand for blood provided for transfusion in state hospitals elevated by 9,6% and there was a slight improve of 0,1% in non-public hospitals through the interval below evaluate,” she stated.
Tobin stated NamBTS has carried out measures to recruit new donors, particularly group O donors, retain common and trustworthy donors, and reactivate lapsed or once-off donors to develop into common donors.
“The principle issue to the rise of blood utilization was a rise in blood requests for casualties like motor accidents stab wounds and maternity utilization.
The rise in blood transfusion can be due to most cancers circumstances, in addition to for deliberate surgical procedures,” Tobin stated.
The decline in Covid-19 circumstances and easing of restrictions yr allowed hospitals to shift their consideration from Covid-19 and give attention to different medical circumstances that require or want extra blood, she stated.
“On this regard, I need to emphasise the truth that regardless of this excessive blood utilization, there was all the time adequate blood accessible to satisfy the elevated demand and this was doable as a result of unwavering dedication of our blood donors.
“Our evaluation signifies that blood demand will proceed to extend by common 5% to 7% yearly.”
Tobin thanked all donors and inspired extra people to donate blood.
“I wish to wholeheartedly thank all donors for making time and blood accessible! You aren’t solely donating blood, however you might be donating blood to save lots of numerous lives,” she stated.
Current on the assembly was the advertising and marketing supervisor, Titus Shivute, who inspired Namibians to donate blood to save lots of lives.
“Much like regular donations akin to the entire blood donation, we additionally produce other forms of donations right here together with plasma, platelets and double crimson cells,” Titus stated.
Supply: namibian
