Botha-Bothe ___ The Lesotho Blood Bank visited Botha-Bothe this week following an invitation from Life Savers and First Aid Training. The visit aimed to recruit blood donors and raise awareness about the importance of blood donation.

In an interview with Lesotho News Agency, Mr. Mothe Pofane from the Blood Bank highlighted that community education on blood donation remains insufficient despite efforts to raise awareness through various media platforms. He also pointed out that budget constraints limit the Blood Bank's ability to implement more outreach programs.

“We still encounter many people in villages who are unaware of the benefits of donating blood. To address this, we have started engaging local councils to encourage donations. However, people often expect incentives, and with our current budget, we are unable to provide them," he said.

Mr. Pofane emphasized the importance of blood donation, stating, “Donating blood helps save lives. If the Blood Bank runs out of supply, many people could lose their loved ones. Additionally, many people are unaware of their blood type or their Hepatitis B and C status, which we test for free after every donation.”

On the other hand, Life Savers and First Aid Training’s Clifford Tar explained that he invited the Blood Bank after numerous people on his social media platforms expressed interest in donating blood in Botha-Bothe. However, the absence of a Blood Bank in the district posed a challenge.

"I reached out to the Blood Bank, and they did not hesitate to come. I noticed how often people post on social media seeking blood donors for their loved ones in need of transfusions. To boost participation, I also approached the District Football Association and proposed that the team bringing in the most players to donate blood would receive a fully equipped first aid kit," he said.

He further noted that regular blood donors have a higher tolerance for blood loss in case of accidents. "People who donate frequently are less likely to suffer severe consequences from blood loss as their bodies are accustomed to it," he added. Tar expressed his gratitude to all those who embraced the initiative and donated blood.

One of the donors, Mrs. Lineo Hlabana, shared her experience, saying she has been a regular blood donor since 2019.
"I donate blood as I feel it is necessary. Knowing that I am a blood donor motivates me to maintain a healthy diet, as my blood can help save lives. I also believe that when I need a transfusion, I will receive one without difficulty," she said.

Lesotho Blood Bank will be collecting blood in different institutions and public spaces in the districts of Botha-Bothe and Leribe for the month of February.