Honourable Msunduzi Mayor –Cllr Chris Ndlela,
SANBS representative - Dr Moleli,
Grey’s Hospital, Medical manager,
Protocol observed.
Programme Director, it gives me a great pleasure to be part of this life saving initiative as the South African National Blood Service Ambassador. I fully endorse the idea of encouraging healthcare workers in South Africa to donate blood as they are the people in the coalface when dealing with incidents of trauma.
I also consider this initiative as having been proposed at a very appropriate time considering that our Province is the destination of choice for holiday makers who come from all over South Africa. This status even though beneficial in many ways particularly on economic side, does also come in with problems in as far as accidents are concerned.
Just in the 2012/13 festive season alone, our Emergency Medical Rescue Services had to respond to 379 accidents that involved 1 298 patients. Blood is of essence in these situations and festive season is once again upon us.
I am indeed excited that this campaign is aimed at every doctor, nurse, pharmacist, paramedic, radiographer, technician and anyone dedicating their days caring for the sick and injured, the premature and the elderly including non-medical staff and any other support staff members.
Colleagues, this is a noble cause, I have religiously adhered to it and now we say let the numbers multiply. I do not think there is a single health worker who may go against the theme adopted for this initiative that says: “Lend an arm; donate blood and prevent harm. Donate a unit for your patient.”
In big numbers let us come out and ensure that at least 100 units of blood is collected from this hospital and then guarantee that in all hour hospitals in the province we will do the same.
Colleagues, let this not be a once off event, but let us be habitual in this ethos and always be willing to save lives like we committed when taking our oaths on resumption of our careers.
I truly thank Gagasi FM for coming in as a partner in this regard as theirs is the most powerful medium that can be able to transcend valleys and hills and say if you are in good health, between the ages of 16 and 65, weigh more than 50 kg, and lead a sexually safe lifestyle, you are invited to take part in this life saving initiative.
The good individual benefit here is that all those who keep good health and are eligible to donate will make an extra effort to ensure that their lives remain in good shape. Let us all make an extra effort to save lives and always be mindful that tomorrow it might be your life that needs to be saved.
This is a noble and selfless exercise, let us all give and give generously.
I thank you!
