EXIM BANK TANZANIA HOSTS EMPLOYEE BLOOD DRIVE

Exim Bank Tanzania staff, Ms Ilakiza Hezwa (right) donates blood during the bank’s annual blood donation campaign in a bid to assist in replenishing the blood supply in the country as part of the bank’s commemoration of the World Blood Donor Day that was celebrated worldwide over the weekend. Left is National Blood Transfusion Services’ (NBTS) Officer Peter Chami.

Exim Bank Tanzania Head of Operations and Technology Mr. Hamza Mohamed (right) takes a high blood pressure test during the bank’s annual blood donation campaign that seeks to raise awareness on voluntary blood donation as part of the bank’s commemoration of the World Blood Donor Day that was celebrated worldwide over the weekend. Left is National Blood Transfusion Services’ (NBTS) Officer Peter Chami.

Mr. Kakili Juma (right), a staff of Ultimate Security Group, donates blood when he volunteered during Exim bank’s annual blood donation drive in a bid to assist in replenishing the blood supply in the country as part of the bank’s commemoration of the World Blood Donor Day that was celebrated worldwide over the weekend. Left is National Blood Transfusion Services’ (NBTS) Officer Peter Chami.

An Exim Bank Tanzania staff (right) takes a high blood pressure test during the bank’s annual blood donation campaign that seeks to raise awareness on voluntary blood donation as part of the bank’s commemoration of the World Blood Donor Day that was celebrated worldwide over the weekend. Left is National Blood Transfusion Services’ (NBTS) Mobilization and Public Education Officer Lucas Michael.

In acknowledging the dire need of blood supply in the country, Exim Bank Tanzania hosted a blood drive for the bank’s employees that saw the bank’s staff rally up to donate blood as part of the bank’s commemoration of the World Blood Donor Day that was celebrated worldwide.

The theme of this year’s campaign reads: "Thank you for saving my life". It focuses on thanking blood donors who save lives every day through their blood donations and strongly encourages more people all over the world to donate blood voluntarily and regularly.

Speaking about the drive held at the bank’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, Exim Bank Tanzania Head Human Resources, Mr. Frederick Kanga, said that the initiative was held to assist in replenishing the blood supply in the country with the sole purpose of saving lives.

“We are proud to host a blood drive for our employees, which reflect Exim Bank’s strong community values, and promote good health and well being in general in the country.” Said Mr. Kanga

“Statistics shows that more than 65% of blood donated in low income countries goes to save the lives of children under the age of five. With regard to this, Exim Bank has decided to donate blood with the focus of saving the lives of children so that we can provide them a chance to achieve their dreams and have a brighter future,” said Mr. Kanga while adding that this initiative is in a series of voluntary activities the bank has planned for this year.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adequate supply of blood can only be assured through regular donations by voluntary unpaid blood donors and its goal is to ensure that all countries obtain all their blood supplies from voluntary unpaid donors by 2020. He said the bank has been hosting regular blood donation drives since 2010

“Exim Bank is committed to supporting social, educational and charitable activities aimed at reinforcing the importance of participating in such noble social causes while building a sense of citizenship, belonging and community responsibility, reflecting on this, our bank has continued to line up over the years in supporting this drive” said Mr. Kanga.

Speaking after the exercise, the National Blood Transfusion Services’ (NBTS) Mobilization and Public Education Officer, Mr Lucas Michael said most people would usually wait until a family member has the need for blood before they even consider donating. He went on to discuss the benefits of becoming a donor, which includes the opportunity to save lives.

“I call upon more Tanzanians to emulate Exim Bank’s move by coming forth and supporting this noble cause so as to leave a positive impact by saving lives. Currently the number of blood donors remains low as opposed to the actual demand,” said Mr. Michael.