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Old Mutual Zimbabwe Limited today extended a generous donation of US$15 000 to National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) towards the development of a low-cost solar system for the blood bank.
The NBSZ is currently running a blood donation campaign to ease blood shortages in the country. In its mandate to continue improving the quality of life of patients in need of blood without any form of discrimination, the campaign is running across the country.
To respond effectively and efficiently to people’s needs, NBSZ has strategically positioned itself by having different regional offices across the country. Any volunteer can donate blood at their five regional offices in Mutare for the Manicaland region, Harare for the Mashonalnd provinces, Gweru for the Midlands region, Masvingo for Masvingo Province, and Bulawayo for Matebeleland North and South as well as the Bulawayo provinces.
Address the media during the donation handover ceremony at Old Mutual Head Office today, Mr. Isiah Mashinya, the Old Mutual Zimbabwe Limited Chief Operating Officer said Old Mutual Zimbabwe recognises the state of emergency and the COVID-19-induced pressures on the National Blood Services of Zimbabwe.
He said these important events and developments have called for active involvement and at the same time test the commitment of corporates to support NBSZ in response to the shortage of stocks of blood group “O”. In response, Old Mutual employees have come forward voluntarily to donate blood to ease the emergency.
“The lockdown measures and vaccination requirements have affected the supply of blood as biggest sources of blood such as schools were closed. Old Mutual has come forward to make this life-saving donation. We are committed to the communities in which we serve, and as such, following NBSZ’s blood donation campaign plea for assistance from all companies to donate blood, we stepped up to the plate,” said Mr. Mashinya.
NBSZ has a blood donor benefit policy that makes it possible for blood donors to access blood and blood products for free, either in private or public facilities provided they meet the criteria.
“At Old Mutual, we firmly believe in the youth and have rolled out programs that equip them for positive futures. We call out to them to participate in the Pledge 25 Campaign by NBSZ, a program initiated to encourage youth to donate blood in large numbers and boost blood stocks, he concluded.
In his donation acceptance speech, Advocate Rogers Matsikidze, the NBSZ Board Chairman said the donation will be a panacea to the current crisis of unstable electricity supply which supports the Blood Bank cold chain meant to ensure the supply of the precious life-saving blood to hospitals and health institution in Zimbabwe.
“Today on behalf of the NBSZ Board of Directors and executives, I would like to thank Old Mutual Zimbabwe Limited for the generous donation of US$15 000 towards the development of a low-cost solar energy system for the blood bank.
“This donation will enable us to have a reliable source of power, which is critical to maintaining a reliable cold chain for blood components. We appreciate your gesture of generosity and kindness towards the blood bank’s needs and your contribution will go a long way in addressing the power challenges that NBSZ faces,” Advocate Matsikidze said.