Journalists unions are teaming up with National Blood Services in a campaign to encourage Zimbabweans to donate blood to bolster reserves.
The move by the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists and the Media Institute of Southern Africa follows the death of journalist Freedom Moyo last week after a car accident in which he sustained grave injuries and lost much blood. Medical personnel attending to him had difficulty finding enough blood for the transfusions he needed.
Blood Services spokeswoman Esther Masunda said the launch will take place Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the NBS offices next to Parirenyatwa Hospital Group in Harare.
On Saturday as well the NBS will provide transport in major cities like Bulawayo to members of the public interested in helping boost the country’s blood reserves.
Masunda says Moyo’s death was sadly a wake-up call for most people who do not understand why they should donate blood.
"We particularly have a problem with the older generation in Zimbabwe that is not interested in donating blood even though they are the major benefactors," said Masunda. "Only 12 percent of our adult population is currently donating blood."
Media Institute of Southern Africa in Zimbabwe Chairman Njabulo Ncube said Moyo’s death has shown journalists the need to get involved to help save lives.
Speaking on the VOA Studio 7 LiveTalk program, some Zimbabwean listeners said the process to donate blood was so complicated that after doing it the first time, they never went back, a problem the urged the NBS to investigate and resolve.
