Communities around the world mark World Blood Donor Day on 14 June each year to raise awareness about the ongoing need for safe blood supplies. In Southern Africa, where demand for blood products continues to grow, maintaining a stable supply remains a major public health priority. Because blood cannot be manufactured, healthcare systems rely entirely on voluntary donors to save lives.
In Namibia, only around 1.1 percent of the population donates blood regularly. Despite this, the Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia maintains an exceptionally safe blood supply through its network of voluntary unpaid donors. These donations support emergency surgeries, road accident victims, and mothers experiencing childbirth complications across the country.
To recognise these contributions, the annual NamBTS Recognition Awards in Windhoek honour schools, businesses, and community organisations that actively support blood donation campaigns and donor clinics.
One of the highlights of the event is the Community Award, which recognises organisations that consistently mobilise local communities to donate blood.
This year’s Community Award winners were the International WeLoveU Foundation which received the Gold Award, the Universal Church Windhoek which received Silver, and the Shincheonji Church of Jesus which received Bronze.
NamBTS thanked the recipients for their ongoing contribution to saving lives and supporting blood donation efforts across Namibia.
With a single blood donation able to save up to three lives, World Blood Donor Day serves as an important reminder of the impact that regular voluntary blood donors have on communities throughout the country.
