BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBABANE – For many emaSwati, a single medical emergency can rapidly become life-threatening when blood is urgently required. Patients suffering from severe anaemia, road traffic accident injuries, childbirth complications, and other critical conditions often depend on timely blood transfusions to survive.
It is against this backdrop that the Ministry of Health has renewed its call for a stronger, more consistent culture of voluntary blood donation, stressing that a reliable blood supply remains a cornerstone of saving lives and strengthening Eswatini’s healthcare system.
The call was made by Sdumo Lukhele, a Health Promotion Officer and Mental Health Practitioner at the Ministry of Health on behalf of the ministry, during an interview on the Eswatini TV Kusile Breakfast Show on July 1, 2026, where he reflected on the country’s recent World Blood Donor Day commemorations.
Lukhele emphasized that Eswatini must move beyond short-term awareness drives and instead cultivate a sustained national culture of voluntary blood donation.
He noted that the country’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies depends heavily on the availability of safe and sufficient blood in hospitals and the national blood bank.
“We need emaSwati to understand that blood donation is not an occasional act, but a continuous responsibility that ensures our health facilities are always prepared to save lives,” Lukhele said.
He further highlighted that key beneficiaries of blood transfusions include road traffic accident victims, mothers experiencing complications during childbirth, patients undergoing major surgical procedures, and individuals living with severe anaemia—many of whom rely on urgent transfusions to survive.
Although World Blood Donor Day is globally observed on June 14, Eswatini held its national commemorations towards the end of June to align with local scheduling arrangements. The observance formed part of broader national efforts to strengthen awareness on voluntary blood donation and its role in supporting healthcare delivery.
This year’s campaign was further reinforced through collaboration with MTN Eswatini under the 21 Days of Y’ello Care initiative, which supported community mobilisation efforts and encouraged wider public participation in blood donation drives.
Health officials explained that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), blood sufficiency is achieved when a country maintains adequate stock levels in its national blood bank to meet all routine and emergency medical needs without shortages.
They further stressed that this goal can only be achieved through voluntary, non-remunerated donors, as blood cannot be manufactured and must be sourced from healthy individuals within the population.
Eligible donors are required to be between 16 and 65 years of age, weigh at least 45 kilograms, and be in good health. Women may safely donate every four months, while men may donate every three months under established medical guidelines.
The Ministry of Health also urged schools, workplaces, faith-based organisations, and community groups to play an active role in sustaining donation campaigns, noting that consistent participation is key to building a resilient national blood supply system.
As Eswatini continues to strengthen its healthcare services, the Ministry expressed optimism that increased public engagement will help secure stable blood supplies and ultimately save more lives across the country.
Courtesy pic
#EswatiniPositiveNews #MinistryOfHealthEswatini #BloodDonation #DonateBloodSaveLives #WorldBloodDonorDay #PublicHealth #KusileBreakfastShow
