TIGO supports The National Blood Transfusion Service blood donation drive for World Aids Day

Nov. 26, 2012 - PRLog -- Tigo is supporting The National Blood Transfusion Service drive to sensitise the public on the importance of safe blood donation in Lindi.

The activity will take place at ILULU Stadium, Lindi, from 26 November and culminate on 1 December 2012 marking World Aids Day. The main objective of the exercise is to recruit and mobilise blood donors on a voluntary basis. The community will have an opportunity to test for HIV and be educated on the importance of risk free behaviour for HIV transmission.

‘’Tigo understands the need for a healthy community and is pleased to partner with NBTS in order to spread the message that only a healthy community can be a productive community. By lending our support, we are also advocating for responsible behaviour among ourselves,” said Tigo General Manager, Diego Gutierrez.

In addition, the community will be sensitised on the importance of blood donation in relation to the reduction of maternal and infant mortality since expectant mothers and children make up 80% of blood recipients.

“This is a major opportunity for us  as sole organization mandated to collect, process, store and supply blood and blood components for transfusion in the country . To have Tigo on board shows us, and the community at large, that this is a company that values our work. They see how crucial it is to the health of our nation, that we have safe blood, willing volunteers and an educated community when it comes to the provision of safe blood. This is an excellent example of private/public partnership (PPP),” said Dr. Efesper Nkya, NBTS Program Manager.

In addition to displays and activities throughout the program at ILULU ground in Lindi, Tigo will also be sending sms to its valued customers in the area to encourage them to participate in the blood donation exercise.

The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, will be the guest of honour at the World Aids Day activities in Lindi this year.

About The National Blood Transfusion Service

NBTS was established in 2004. It  is a programme under the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW) with a mandate of ensuring availability of adequate and accessible safe blood and blood products through a centrally coordinated blood transfusion services in Tanzania.

Its main objectives are:

-        To increase capacity for collecting, processing and distributing adequate safe blood and blood products from voluntary non-remunerated repeat donors to meet requirements of patients in need.

-        To ensure availability of adequate and accessible supplies of safe blood from voluntary non-remunerated repeat blood donors from low risk population throughout the United Republic of Tanzania.

-        To introduce an effective monitoring and evaluation system to maintain quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the National Blood Transfusion Service.

NBTS operates country wide with TPDF and TRCS as partners through its six Zonal centres in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Tabora, Mtwara, Mbeya and Moshi

As a TACAIDS stakeholder, it has greatly contributed much in HIV/AIDS prevention. Since its establishment, it has greatly reduced the prevalence of HIV among voluntary blood donors from 7% in 2006 to 1.2% in 2012.

About Tigo          

Tigo started its operations in 1994 as the first cellular network in Tanzania. It now covers 26 regions in mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.  Tigo is one of Tanzania’s most innovative mobile phone operators, offering services ranging from affordable mobile voice communications to high speed Internet access and mobile financial services through Tigo Pesa.

Tigo is part of Millicom International Cellular S.A (MIC), which provides affordable, widely accessible and readily available cellular telephony services to more than 43 million customers in 13 emerging markets in Africa and Latin America.

For further information visit: www.tigo.co.tz

Issued by: PR-Tigo • Mobile +255 713 651864