RAMOTSWA - National Blood Transfusion Centre is appealing to people to donate blood in large numbers so they could save lives.

Speaking during the Malete Land Boards Health and Wellness day at Mogobane, Mr Dick Rakereng said they were failing to meet the annual 36 pints of blood target set by the government because some people fear the prick of a needle. He said they only manage to get 22 pints instead.

Imagine you are the one lying at the hospital bed and someone else is shying away from a needle prick, how will you feel? Mr Rakereng asked rather rhetorically.

He observed that of recent there have been some acute blood shortages in hospitals.

With accidents and injuries on the increase, donated blood could be used as an investment for both the donor and the country.

The same donor could use his/her donated blood if they run short of blood at one point in life. He further recognised the role played by blood donors, saying they should be proud that they are life savers.

Mr Rakereng advised against donating blood when one is taking treatment. This can aggravate your situation, he warned and added that those who donated should refrain from playing any demanding sport.

He said while on one hand they were advocating for blood donation they were, on the other advising against decisions which would put peoples health in danger. He therefore asked those who were HIV positive, weighing 50kg and below, medically and physically unfit, among other things, not to take chances. BOPA