RBC/NCBT/Regional Centre for Blood Transfusion – Ruhengeri - participates in Musanze JADF “Open Day”

RBC/National Centre for Blood Transfusion, Regional Centre for Blood Transfusion-Ruhengeri has participated in Musanze - JADF (Joint Action for Development Forum – Musanze District). The 2 day (16th-17th /Feb/2012) event has been organized with an aim of exhibiting activities done by different institutions, both public and private operating in  the District.  Speaking to Moise TUYISHIMIRE, the NCBT Marketing and Communication Officer, Dr GATARE Swaibu, the Medical Director of RCBT-Ruhengeri expressed delight from the way the Rwandese population has turned up in large numbers to visit RCBT-Ruhengeri stands and their willingness to answer to the call of saving patients’ lives by donating Blood. “This is a golden opportunity for RCBT-Ruhengeri and NCBT in general to extend our activities to those that haven’t been answering to our call of saving patients’ lives through Blood donation.” Dr Gatare added. The event has brought together all stakeholders of the District including those from the Health sector. The Regional Centre for Blood Transfusion-Ruhengeri is using this opportunity to exhibit its activities to a bigger population, not only those from Musanze but also those present from neighboring districts of Rurindo, Gakenke, Burera, Nyabihu, Rubavu, Rutsiro and Ngororero. The event is taking place from Musanze Stadium, where the Centre’s staff are exhibiting their activities in two stands. One stand is being used for explanation purposes where RBC/NCBT staff exhaustively explain to visitors and fellow exhibitors, the core business of NCBT involving Donor Mobilization and recruitment, Donor selection and eligibility criteria, Blood collection, Transportation, Processing, Analysis and Distribution to the different Hospitals around the country. Interested people have also used this occasion to read books on Blood transfusion science that have been put on display for them by RCBT-Ruhengeri staff. The second stand has been reserved for Blood donation activities where people from Musanze town and neighboring villages have turned up in large numbers to donate blood from 10:00 a.m. The event was an occasion to explore and respond to curiosity of some people who wants to know how blood is drawn from a donor, and what tests performed in blood before being distributed to hospitals. During two days of the Open day, various activities are organized by the centre are all about to raise awareness on the importance of giving blood and blood donation activity.  During two days, RBC/NCBT Regional centre Ruhengeri stands have been visited by around two hundred people among them 126 have donated blood. The best way to get a feel for what The Centre is all about is to come and visit us on one of our open days like this we are performing for two days. Open day gives you the chance to find out more about the type of activities you can expect at the centre. At an open day you will be able to learn about subject areas of interest, meet current blood donors, tour our centre and facilities, and gather information on all aspects of the centre, allowing you to gain a real feel for the place. RBC/NCBT points out that blood transfusion are crucial in various medical situations, where they often save lives. Examples are women experiencing complications during childbirth, people suffering from extreme blood loss due to an accident (most of them traffic-related), blood transfusions required during surgery, or young children and pregnant women struck by acute malaria or other diseases. Therefore, the Center calls upon all Rwandans who are medically able to do so, to voluntarily and freely give blood to save lives of patients in hospitals around the country. Normally, a person can donate blood two or three times a year. At the end of the Open day, RBC/NCBT Regional Centre for Blood Transfusion – Ruhengeri was awarded the Certification of Participation.