Harare (New Ziana) -The National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) on Monday launched a campaign targeting to collect 13 370 units of whole blood for the festive season until the first week of 2024.

Speaking during the launch, NBSZ chief executive officer Lucy Marowa said blood the collection season starts on November 13 and will stretch into the first week of 2024.

She said blood drives are meant to boost stocks before, during and after the festive season.

“The collections of blood will be done at all the NBSZ static clinics in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo and Mutare,” she said.

“Our mobile teams will also be carrying out blood drives in various locations which will be communicated on our social media platforms. We target to collect from sites in Harare (28), Bulawayo (10), Masvingo (17) Gweru (10) and Mutare (16) giving a total of 81 sites throughout Zimbabwe. We will be visiting corporates, churches and shopping centres throughout the country. We are inviting corporates and all Zimbabweans to partner with NBSZ in the collection of blood throughout the festive season,” said Marowa.

She said the demand for blood will be extremely high due to various factors such as road traffic accidents during the festive season.

Marowa added that the NBSZ is encouraging all those who are healthy, above 16 years of age, weighing at least 50 kg, to willingly donate the precious drops of life, especially blood group O.

“Blood group O has a high demand and we are appealing for blood group O donors to come through for donation,” she said.

New Ziana