Rwanda- JMDS: Promoting the culture of blood donation

Rwanda joined other countries around the world in observing World Blood Donor Day (WBDD). It is celebrated on June 14 every year. The special event took place this Saturday in Musanze District. It aimed to raise awareness and encourage the public to practice the culture of regular blood donation.

At the national level, this day was celebrated at the Musanze Regional Blood Transfusion Centre. It was under the theme “Give Blood, Give Hope – Together We Save Lives”.

The event was marked by the blood donation activity itself. It was also a chance to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving blood donations.

No Rwandan can lose his life today due to lack of blood. Dr. Thomas Muyombo

The director of the National Blood Transfusion Center (CNTS), Dr. Thomas Muyombo, recalled that this event helps raise public awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products.

He took the opportunity to reassure Rwandans about the sufficient stock of blood.

“We have sufficient blood supplies. No Rwandan can lose their life due to a lack of blood. This is thanks to the goodwill of blood donors and the mechanisms for distributing this blood through the use of drones throughout the country,” said Dr. Thomas Muyombo.

“Giving blood is giving hope. We must therefore join forces to save lives.” Maurice Mugabowagahunde

Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde thanked the blood donors for their bravery and willingness to save the lives of their fellow citizens.

“We must all, without exception, join in this good and humanitarian process of donating blood. As this year’s theme states, giving blood is giving hope. We must therefore join forces to save lives,” he said.

Governor Mugabowagahunde used this opportunity to call on the population to fight against diseases especially those caused by poor hygiene, road accidents and other preventable causes of death.

Eugène Bagirishya has been able to donate blood 74 times over the past 17 years.

One of these blood donors is Eugene Bagirishya. He has donated blood 74 times over the past 17 years, up until now, at the age of 43. He says he is proud of this humanitarian act.

“When I participate in this blood donation activity, I feel important in society because I am contributing to the survival of my fellow citizens. I have a sister who was about to die and was saved by a blood transfusion. Since then, I have made the decision to donate blood whenever I can,” he said.

On the other hand, we find a certain Donatille Nyiranshimiyimana who was saved just as she was about to die after giving birth. She will never forget this great moment.

“I was saved by the blood drip and miraculously regained my life” Domitille Nyiranshimiyimana

“I am extremely grateful to blood donors. I say this because I nearly died following a painful childbirth that cost me a lot of blood in 2019. I was saved by a blood transfusion and miraculously regained my life,” she revealed.

She added that since then she has decided to become a regular blood donor.

During this ceremony, it was reiterated that the aim is to promote a culture of regular blood donation among young people and the general public. This is also to increase the diversity and sustainability of the blood donor pool.

In addition, the top ten blood donors received certificates of appreciation and other awards in recognition of their efforts and dedication to saving lives.