Tag Archives: Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS)

Business, Health

Airtel Malawi in record-breaking blood donation drive

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)– In a remarkable display of corporate social responsibility, Airtel Malawi on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 successfully concluded its annual blood donation drive, surpassing previous records with an overwhelming turnout of over 35 donors.

Partnering with the Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS), the event aimed to address the critical blood shortage affecting hospitals across the country.

Malawi faces a persistent blood crisis, with many lives at risk due to insufficient supply.

This year’s drive was a crucial step towards mitigating this challenge.

The collected blood units will significantly bolster the nation’s blood bank, ensuring timely and adequate supply for patients in need.

Airtel Malawi’s Managing Director, Charles Kamoto, expressed pride in the company’s contribution to the community.

“We are deeply committed to the health and well-being of Malawians. This year’s blood donation drive is a testament to our dedication. By coming together, we have saved lives and made a tangible difference,” said Kamoto.

Upile Kaimvi, Public Relations Officer for MBTS, hailed Airtel Malawi as a true champion of public health. “Airtel’s consistent support has been instrumental in addressing the blood shortage crisis in Malawi. Their commitment to organizing this annual event is an inspiration to other corporations,” Kaimvi stated.

Beyond the immediate impact, Airtel Malawi aims to foster a culture of blood donation in the country.

The company plans to intensify awareness campaigns and encourage more individuals and organizations to participate in future drives.
Business

NBM plc gives blood bank fridge to Mangochi hospital

MaraviPost

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has donated a blood bank refrigerator worth K40 million to Mangochi District Hospital to address blood storage challenges in the eastern region.

The Bank made a commitment through the Malawi Blood Transfusion Services (MBTS) to secure two blood bank fridges for Mangochi and Mulanje hospitals.

Speaking after the handover ceremony at the hospital on Friday, NBM plc Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Harold Jiya said they were convinced by MBTS to make the donation after noting that blood transportation and storage is the biggest challenge in the region.

“We learnt through MBTS that Mangochi District Hospital struggles to keep blood after collecting due to lack of blood bank fridges which affects the other health centres surrounding the facility.”

“As the ‘Bank of the Nation’, we know that good health is a prerequisite for all other building blocks of any nation, so we thought of helping them. We believe the donation will foster the nation’s development,” said Jiya.

MBTS Acting CEO, Bridon M’baya commended NBM plc for the support saying Mangochi district registered the highest number of people that needed blood transfusion in the region last year. 

“We applaud NBM plc for this support of a blood bank refrigerator. This will help reduce blood challenges in the eastern region. You may wish to know that last year, Mangochi district only asked for 52 percent of the total blood the eastern region needed. Hospitals around the region will no longer have to travel long distances to Blantyre or Balaka to access blood,” he said. 

Director of health and social services for Mangochi, Dr. Henry Chibowa Junior said the hospital conducts about 400 blood transfusions in a month and was heavily affected by storage capacity and the donation is a relief.

“The new blood bank has a capacity of over 600 units of blood, which is a relief. National Bank plc has proven to be a trusted partner and more lives will be saved through this donation,” he said. 

According to Chibowa, Mangochi hospital serves a population of about two million people and is surrounded by seven health centres.

Business

Airtel Malawi in blood donation drive amid hospitals’ shortage

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s leading smartphone provider, Airtel Malawi is appealing to the corporate world to bail out public health facilities from blood shortages.

Managing Director for Airtel Malawi, Charles Kamoto made an appeal during a blood donation exercise by Airtel employees at the company’s Offices in Lilongwe on Tuesday, June 21, 2022.

Kamoto donating blood

Kamoto observes that blood shortage in hospitals can be addressed if various institutions encourage their employees to donate blood.

He pointed out that the company takes pride in helping the nation in many respects and building blood banks in hospitals.

“We’ve been doing this for a number of years but we had a break for about two years due to Covid-19 but we decided to come back,” says Kamoto.

He adds that as a telecomunication brand, the company is concerned with people whose lives are at risk due to lack of blood.

“Other companies need to emulate from the pace we have set as Airtel for is important to save lives “said Kamoto.

Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS) Public Relations Officer for Lilongwe blood transfusion Centre, Upile Kaimvi therefore lauded Airtel for reviving the blood donation drive.

Kaimvi is appealing to other institutions to emulate the gesture.

“Airtel gas been doing this for a long time and we really appreciate for their love and dedication to this cause.

“MBTS cannot do this alone, it needs all of us as a nation to take part in this Noble service of donating blood,” said Kaimvi.

The blood donation drive was part of commemorations marking blood donation day that falls on June 11 annually.