English
Kinyarwanda
More than 500 police officers from the Police Training School (PTS) in Gishari, Rwamagana District, on Saturday, September 12, voluntarily donated blood in an exercise conducted in partnership with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC).
The exercise is part of RNP’s continued partnership with RBC to support the national blood donation programme and contribute to saving lives and promoting community wellbeing.
Rwanda National Police spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga said blood donation is part of the Police’s responsibility to protect lives and promote community wellbeing.
“The safety of the people we protect is enhanced when they are healthy because no one can feel secure when faced with illness. For police officers, blood donation is not only part of the agreement between the Rwanda National Police and RBC to support the national blood donation programme, but also part of our responsibility to maintain public safety and promote the wellbeing of communities, including supporting them in health-related matters,” ACP Rutikanga said.
Uwera Lydie, RBC’s blood donation and mobilisation officer in the Eastern Province, said donated blood helps save the lives of many patients, including children under five, mothers giving birth, people with serious illnesses such as cancer, and accident victims.
“When we collect this blood, we take it to a facility where it is processed and prepared for patients who are critically ill and need it,” Uwera said.
She noted that technology has also improved the delivery of blood to patients, with drones helping transport blood to health facilities more quickly.
Uwera commended RNP officers and the Police leadership for their continued cooperation with RBC in promoting blood donation and protecting lives.
“Just as you are trained to protect citizens, when you donate blood, you help protect someone’s life. It is therefore valuable to have you participate in this exercise because the blood you donate helps many people,” she said.
She called on Rwandans to embrace voluntary blood donation, noting that while one person may not need blood today, someone close to them may need it tomorrow. She also urged people to avoid excessive alcohol consumption and maintain healthy lifestyles to support a sustainable blood donation system.
