Malawi Blood Transfusion Service

In Malawi, there is a need of at least 80, 000 units of whole blood annually but MBTS manages to supply hospitals with around 65 percent of the national yearly requirement. Further statistics show that around 65 percent of blood recipients are mothers and children. FMB has adopted safe motherhood to be a priority area for the bank's corporate social responsibility. " We analyzed the situation to look at critical areas we can support to give back to communities generally and thought that blood donation is a key area," Widdey Nsona, FMB Marketing Manager said. Nsona continued: "Our bank has 28 branches across the country with many customers. Supporting blood donation initiatives would impact on our customers across the country. This is why we support blood donation." FMB began supporting MBTS in the year 2012 when the MBTS appealled for support to purchase consumables such as blood bags and testing reagents. FMB was one of the organizations that responded and went further to commit organizing blood donation drives each quarter of the year since 2013. "The government did a commendable job for the people of Malawi by establishing MBTS. This is an indespensable infrasturcture and well respectable professionally in some parts of Africa. Going forward, it is the duty of all Malawians including organizations to support MBTS and government initiatives towards the MBTS," Kaombe said. To organize a blood donation drive, it does not require much. It costs around MK0.5 million depending on the scale of the event. The event becomes a partnership between MBTS and the organization expressing interest. MBTS pumps in all necessary resources and expertise for blood collection while interested organization can put in logistical costs for information to reach blood donors, refreshments for blood donors, tents for the event, public address system, even the disco and other items depending on the event.