SOMALILAND: Health Development Ministry Launches Nationwide Blood Donation Campaign

By Abdirisak Itaqile

Hargeisa, (Somaliland Monitor) -Somaliland’s Ministry of Health Development has on Thursday launched a nationwide Blood Donation Campaign targeting the adult blood donors. The Voluntary Blood donation campaign’s launching ceremony held inside the Presidential Palace, saw the country’s president, Muse Bihi Abdi, Vice-President Abdilahi Ismail Saylici and cabinet members donated blood in order to raise awareness about the importance and benefits of blood donation.

In an address at the opening ceremony, Dr. Hassan Ismail Yusuf, Minister of Health Development, noted that lives were being threatened by the lack of blood in many hospitals while many people relied on family members or paid donors.

“The campaign has been necessitated by the continued need for blood in hospitals and other healthcare facilities and to ensure Somalilanders are secure in the event of suffering illnesses that may require blood transfusion,” said Dr. Hassan Ismail Yusuf, Somaliland Minister of Health Development.

Minister Hassan also reiterated that the country’s rising road accidents and pregnancy necessitated the launching of the campaign.

“You may need blood transfusion, you neighbor, your children as well as your parents and your loved ones may need blood transfusion. Therefore, on today (Jan, 03, 2019) we are launching the first nationwide Blood Donation Campaign and encourage citizens to emulate their president by donating blood” Minister Hassan added.

Speaking at the campaign’s launching ceremony, President Muse Bihi Abdi lauded the Ministry of Health Development’s endeavors of spreading the culture of charitable giving and blood donation among citizens and residents alike as well as highlighting its health effects in community and noble humanitarian goal.

BELOW ARE THE VIDEOS AND PHOTO GALLERY OF THE EVENT.

WATCH PRESIDENT’S SPEECH AT THE EVENT

WATCH HEALTH MINISTER’S SPEECH AT THE EVENT