By Durell Namasani
Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS) on Wednesday announced the postponement of this year’s World Blood Donor Day Commemoration which was slated for this Saturday, June 15, 2024.
On 14 June every year, the World commemorates the World Blood Day to celebrate all the blood donors across the world but here in Malawi the event was scheduled to take place on 15th June and preparations for the event in all MBTS Centres, were already at an advanced stage.
But in a brief statement signed by the organisation’s Marketing and Public Relations Manager Janet Katonda, MBTS arrived at the decision following the death of the country’s Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima and eight other distinguished men and women who were working with him.
“We regret to communicate that due to the national mourning declared following the tragic loss of Vice President Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight other distinguished men and women ,the World Blood Donor Day commemorations have been postponed to a later date. However, the dates for the commemoration events will be communicated in due course,” reads the statement in part.
Chilima and former First Lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri who also died during the aircraft crash in Chikangawa Forest in Mzuzu, were among MBTS’s regular blood donors.
Using their influential positions in government, the two did their best in helping mobilising others to become regular blood donors as well.
Meanwhile, the body of the former first lady is expected to be laid to rest this coming Friday in Balaka while Dr Chilima is expected to be laid to rest at Nsipe, Traditional Authority Champiti in Ntcheu district on Monday, June 17.
 on Wednesday announced the postponement of this year’s World Blood Donor Day Commemoration which was slated for this Saturday, June 15, 2024.…){kind=link}