By Hou Akot Hou
Medics at Aweil Civil Hospital in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State called for blood donations, citing shortages at the hospital.
The officials expressed that as the blood bank ran dry, most patients in need of blood have been left vulnerable with little or no assistance.
The call comes in a critical moment where patients are seeking blood, particularly the expectant mothers, whose case worries the health officials.
Luka Lual Aleu, the state health’s focal point, told this publication that the lack of blood is sending a bad trend to the ailing population, more specifically the mothers and children.
“Our state hospital is in need of blood, and we appeal to the donors to come forward and donate blood, as it is time for our patients to get the blood, as mothers are in need of blood and also the children who are anaemic.” Luka said,
He said the stereotype that when you give blood you will catch more diseases or get weak is a false narrative from the people who keep spreading rumours to confuse the donors.
“You have come, and we check you through testing, and when you give blood, you can keep on eating nutritious food, and you can gain your strength,” he cautioned.
The residents hail the call and ask the health officials to do more campaigns in the counties.
“We need this campaign of blood donation to be extended to other parts of the state, such as the payams and the counties,” said Mary Abuk, one of the residents.
It remains to be seen whether the blood donation’s call will be heeded by the local residents, despite repeated calls to give blood, as some UN agencies’ staff, particularly the UNMISS staff, have been providing blood in the previous years, especially the peacekeeping forces.