KIGALI - The National Centre for Blood Transfusion (NCBT) called upon Rwandans to donate blood to save lives, ahead of the International blood day which takes place on June 14, 2011 every year.

In Rwanda, the day will be celebrated in Karongi District, Western Province under the theme ‘More blood more life’.

Speaking to The New Times yesterday, the Director General of the centre, Florent Senyana, said that the Week aims at creating wider awareness of the vital role of blood transfusion in saving lives and improving the health of people.

"We are calling upon people to donate blood because by doing so, they are donating life,” he said.

Senyana added that the blood donating activities will take place at all NCBT,  facilities around the country throughout the week.

The centers are Rwamagana, Musanze, Kigali, Huye and Karongi.

Senyana said that currently the centre has enough blood to suit the country’s demand, but there may be need for more blood once cancer diagnosis and treatment begins.

He pointed out that the country needs about 40,000 blood units annually.

Blood is needed for routine and emergency surgery, including life-saving treatment for growing numbers of people injured in road traffic accidents, and for treating congenital blood disorders.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), at least 90 million units of blood are donated each year.

However, demand for blood transfusion continues to increase, and many countries cannot meet existing needs.

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