TO COMMEMORATE Valentine’s Day, which falls on Friday next week, University of Zambia medical students have launched a blood donation campaign to raise over 11,000 units of blood for patients in need. University of Zambia Medical Student Association (UNZAMEDSA) president Namunji Matale said the campaign will be conducted throughout this month.

“During participation in ward activities, medical students have noticed that there are blood shortages. “UNZAMEDSA wishes to play a role in solving this problem by carrying out a blood donation campaign in this month of love,” Ms Matale said. The campaign has been themed ‘Show some love and donate blood’.

Ms Matale said in an interview yesterday that the campaign is not only meant to appeal to students, but the general public as well. She said the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) alone needs about 400 units of safe blood every day while Lusaka requires around 75,000 units. “Our target is 400 units a day, which means we are targeting 400 people to donate blood per day,” Ms Matale said. She said UNZAMEDSA has engaged the Zambia National Blood Transfusion Service and UTH, which have given the association support. “We are in the process of preparing awareness videos about the need to donate blood.

We are also trying to secure a slot at East Park Mall on Valentine’s Day to carry out a mass blood donation,” Ms Matale said. She said the association is still waiting for feedback from East Park Mall management. “Our appeal to members of the public is that they should develop a habit of donating blood at least twice a year. The process is very easy,” she said. Ms Matale said people should not only donate blood when a friend or relative is in need. “So many lives can be saved if we all partner and donate blood,” she said.