Mozambicans urged to donate blood during festive season – MISAU

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Mozambicans urged to donate blood during festive season – MISAU

12:58 CAT | 20 Dec 2016

Reuters (File photo) / For illustration purposes only

The Ministry of Health (MISAU) yesterday revealed that there is not enough blood to cope with possible accidents and increased demand during the festive season in health facilities across the country.

The information was released in Maputo on Monday by the Deputy National Director of Health Care, Elenia Amado, during a press conference announcing MISAU’s readiness for Christmas and New Year.

“The amount of blood we have countrywide is not reassuring,” Amado said, and appealed to the public to go to health units and donate blood. Amado said Nampula and Gaza were worst supplied.

Amado also called for care setting of fireworks, which often cause injuries.

“We sometimes give them to children as gifts, but they have to be used by people with a certain expertise. At the start of the year we reduced the use of fireworks,” she said.

According to Amado, another urgent need is protecting children and women from sexual violence over the festive season.

“With regard to cases of sexual violence, we call for more protection of children and women. Keep them in a safe place. Last year we had an increase from 93 in 2015 to 113,” she said, citing figures reflect cases of sexual violence during the festive season only.

“We ask for protection of children. We can not allow this situation to persist. Enhanced service will be provided to citizens all over the country. Some health units will extend the time of their activities. We will set opening times to meet the needs of the population in due course,” she said.

Source: AIM Moçambique