By Sukuoluhle Ndlovu
Facebook has partnered with National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) in a bid to increase blood donations in the country.
Blood banks in the country were negatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic which has made it difficult to access blood donors.
The NBSZ/Facebook Africa collaboration was launched today at a virtual press conference.
Facebook had noted that their social media platform was used to source for blood donations and saw an opportunity to make their experiences better.
“NBSZ will use Facebook platform to reach out and recruit blood donors during and beyond the Covid -19 pandemic. The is need to enhance awareness on the NBSZ blood donation activities which will be taking place at the different NBSZ static clinics and mobile collection sites in the community. And lastly to land positive coverage for the Zimbabwe blood programme on a global initiative,” said NBSZ Public Affairs Manager, Esther Masunda.
Masunda said the problems brought about by Covid -19 led them to into taking this decision.
“The challenges brought by Covid-19 have necessitated the need for NBSZ to embrace new ways of blood donor mobilisation. The partnership with Facebook is also in line with the organisations efforts of collaborating with value added partners. Facebook is very popular with our blood donors and through this platform they will also be able to assist in the recruitment of new donors by inviting their family and friends through this new application to scheduled blood drives in the different communities,” she said.
Kojo Boayke, the Public Policy Director Facebook Africa said they are committed to help NBSZ to achieve its goals.
“It is crucial to make it easy to connect people that want to donate with the opportunity to give, whilst learning about the blood donation centres around them and hopefully inspiring action within their communities. This is an important partnership with the BSZ and a necessary step that we believe will make a positive difference to the blood donation ecosystem in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Zimbabwe is now the 8th country in Africa, the second in Southern Africa after South Africa to launch the Facebook blood donations feature. Over 70 million people have signed up for this feature.
