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Thirty-one voluntary blood donors from Bombali District were recognized for their dedication to saving lives during a ceremony held at the Makeni Wusum Stadium.
The event, organized by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AISPO) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS), coincided with the post-celebration of National Voluntary Blood Donors Day and the 20th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day.
Among the honorees were Alhaji Osman Jalloh, credited with 61 blood donations, Martin Lamin Kotay with 55 donations, and Mohamed Lamin Bangura and Ibrahim Sorie Koroma, each with 54 contributions. The remaining donors were acknowledged for donating blood at least 18 times.
The ceremony was attended by senior health officials, including Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mustapha Kabba and AISPO representative Dr. Frederico Chiodi. The speakers hailed the donors for their life-saving efforts, particularly in supporting pregnant women who are among the primary beneficiaries of blood donations in Sierra Leone.
“These donors are true patriots of Sierra Leone,” said Dr. Kabba. “Their contributions are integral to transforming our healthcare system and addressing maternal and child health challenges.” He pledged to advocate for the creation of special facilities to support voluntary blood donors and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare under President Julius Maada Bio’s administration.
The awardees expressed gratitude for the recognition and called for broader community participation in blood donation. They urged the Ministry of Health and partners to enhance support for donation programs to sustain and expand their impact.
Other speakers at the event encouraged Sierra Leoneans to embrace voluntary blood donation as a critical act of solidarity and public health improvement. The ceremony highlighted the essential role of voluntary donors in addressing the nation’s healthcare needs, particularly in maternal and child health.
