Blood donors denounce gov't neglect

The General Coordinator of National Voluntary Blood Donors Organisation, NVBDO, for the Northwest and Southwest regions, Ukwandum Samuel Njeazeh has frowned at the lukewarm attitude of government in regard to this year’s celebration of ‘World Blood Donors Day’.

NVBDO, the coordinator said, is a voluntary humanitarian service that seeks to make available pure blood in sufficient quantity for the purpose of saving lives and should be encouraged.

‘’It is aching for an occasion concerning humanitarian activity to have taken place without assistance from the state. I am very embarrassed because it makes us look stupid. People are zealous, donors are increasing, we are having up to 20 pints of blood in the Baptist Hospital Mutengene, voluntarily to mark the day but what are these people being motivated with?’’ Ukwandum questioned.

With the availability of six blood banks in the Southwest region, NVBDO, coordinator mentioned that, the association is suffering and they are handicapped in so many domains which the government needs to come in and apprehend.

“There is nothing that can motivate these donors, the administration is aware that it’s out of my personal effort and that of supporters who assist us voluntarily through appeals that we are able to organise this event. We were hoping that something will come from Yaounde to help the situation but nothing was done.

I called Yaounde and they said the Minister had adjourned the date of the celebrations to June 21, but no one had informed us, I told them I will not stay back and went ahead with the programme. I am happy with the outcome of the event and the Baptist hospital that assisted us’’ Njeazeh averred.blood

The philanthropic organisation as stated by the coordinator has a number of shortcomings. Some of these backdrops include; lack of funds, stationery, transportation to ferry donors and facilitators, reagents during blood drives, cool boxes during drives and most importantly donors are not motivated.

Regional Delegate for Public Health Dr Victor Mbome Njie, acknowledged all who give blood to save lives and noted that the need for blood is constant while the gratification is instant. He placed blood donors above every other person in the society and advised them to live disciplined lives void of excesses.

He therefore promised to make sure that, every blood donor should be consulted free of charge, have 50 percent discount on their hospital cards, and that donors will not pay for blood if they are in need of it.

Enoh Oru Sunde a blood donor and handicap has donated blood over 73 times since 1996. Married with six children, he said his primary reason was to save lives since he has a percentage of blood more than what is needed in his body.

Despite the odds these individuals are determined to donate their blood no matter the circumstance as they are convicted with the fact that they will not let a person die because he lacks blood with their song which goes.

The event also witnessed the inauguration of the Mutengene blood donor branch with 153 members. There was also, the handing over of certificates to 72 potential donors for having donated blood for six times and above.