The National Blood Transfusion Center, as part of its campaign on blood donation, conducted a conference for four weekends starting from 9th May to 7th of June, at the conference Hall of Orrota Medical School.

Consensus building on the blood donors, students’ recruitment and blood collection was the main objective of the conference. High school and college instructors from the Central region participated in the conference. During the conference, issues about the relevance of blood donation and the ways on how to improve the awareness of the public were raised.

Dr. Yifdeamlak Tesfamariam, Director of the National Blood Transfusion Center, said that it is crucial to keep academic community aware of the significance of blood donation. He explained that it is easier to reach the students who are the potential donors through them.

During the conference, they discussed on how to arrange the time of donation without interrupting the class hours. As assessed, the teachers are aware of the importance of blood donation and are fully committed to support the National Blood Transfusion Center.

Mr. Mekonnen Tesfagiorghis, Head of Donor Services Department said that orientation seminars are critically needed to reach full awareness level.

One of the participants, Mr. Amanuel Mehari, from College of Arts and Social Sciences of EIT, said that since blood donation concerns everyone in the society, teachers should try to communicate the issue in every subject discussing social issues.

Some of the agreements reached were that the NBTC and the school heads should develop a schedule of blood collection, form school blood donors club and include the subject in the biology curriculum. They concluded that the blood bank and the schools will work together for the success of the campaign on blood donation.

The NBTC has a plan of using the mass media to disseminate messages and improve the recruitment skills and facilities for further achievements.