SHANNISE DZOBO
MASVINGO CITY–National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) Masvingo Branch will host this year’s World Blood Donor Day commemorations at Victoria High School in Masvingo this Saturday.
NBSZ board chairman, Advocate Rogers Matsikidze confirmed the development to The Midweek Watch.
“This year’s WBDD will be held in Masvingo as part of decentralization of activities so that all donors from across the country have a chance to witness national events and participate as well, last year the event was held in Mutare,” said Matsikidze.
This year’s World Blood Donor Day commemoration is running under the theme ‘Give Blood, Give Plasma, Share Life, Share Often’.
Masvingo Branch Planning and Recruitment manager, Michael Chakoma said that the commemorations are going to be held at Victoria High School where there are expecting 8 high schools from across the province and bleed over 500 donors on the day.
“We are going to be commemorating the World Blood Donor Day on the 17th of June this coming Saturday at Victoria High School and we are expecting 8 high schools and a total of 500 units to be collected on that particular day,” said Chakoma.
WBDD was set aside by the World Health Organisation and is celebrated every year on June 14 across the globe as a way of honoring and thanking donors who give blood for free.
Chakoma said there will be recognizing and honoring milestone achievers who are going to get certificates and shields so as to encourage them to continue donating blood and encourage others to donate blood.
“We are going to honor our milestone achievers who have donated blood more than 25, 50, 100, 150 times and above and they are going to receive certificates and shields,” said Chakoma.
He said the WHO Country Director will be the guest of honor and the Provincial Medical Director, Dr Amadius Shamhu, Provincial Education Director, Shylatte Mhike and heads of department and other government officials will give solidarity speeches on the day.
NBSZ Masvingo Branch Committee chairman, Nkulumani Mlambo said that they feel honored to get the opportunity to host such a prestigious event for donors.
“It is an honor to host an important day for those who give the gift of life for no payment.
“We encourage people from all walks of life to come in their numbers to come and give blood on this day and also witness the commemorations that are held once in a year,” said Mlambo.
Last year the event was done in Mutare at Mutare Boys High School.
Chakoma added that they are expecting in excess of 700 guests to grace the occasion which will be attended by teams from other centres like Mutare, Gweru, Bulawayo and Harare.
“There will be lots of entertainment from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, student nurses, Mutendi Brass Band and school pupils,” he said.
