Mulhako wa Alhomwe blood donation successful -Ngongoliwa

Traditional Authority (T/A) Ngongoliwa, who is the patron of Mulhako wa Alhomwe, on Saturday led members of this tribal grouping in donating blood to the Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS), which is mandated to provide adequate supplies of safe blood and blood products to meet the needs of all patients in all hospitals in Malawi.

The group came up with initiative to help fellow Malawians who are suffering and are in need of blood in various hospitals due to various reasons, according to Dickson Makhumba, Blood Donation Task Force spokesperson.

Ngongoliwa hailed the patrons for turning up in large numbers and hoped that they remain blood donors to ensure availability of blood at MBTS.

Blood shortage has a particular impact on women mainly due to complications of pregnancy, children with severe life-threatening anaemia caused by malaria and malnutrition and trauma victims.

Kaombe said, “A significant number of deaths could be avoided ifevery hospital had access to a safe and adequate supply of this lifesavingresource. This can only be achieved through a significant increase in thenumber of people who are willing to donate blood regularly.”

MBTS require at least 80,000 units of blood every year and the institution highly depend on students, especially when schools are in session.

Mulhako Wa Alhomwe was established in 2007 by formerPresident late Bingu wa Mutharika, to revitalize, promote and preserve culture and customs among different tribal groups in the country. And it conducts annual celebrations at its head quarters at Chonde in Mulanje.