IOT hosts second blood donation campaign |22 November 2016

Some of the IOT staff donating blood

The Indian Ocean Tuna Ltd (IOT) hosted its second blood donation campaign for this year at its tuna canning factory last week.

The event was held in collaboration with the Blood Transfusion Unit of the Ministry of Health.

Before being certified as fit to give blood, staff had to undergo the normal screening process that is required to see if they are in the necessary condition to donate blood. This consists of high blood pressure and haemoglobin tests which are then brought to the Seychelles Hospital for full screening.

“It’s a noble gesture. Giving blood is the equivalent to giving life,” says Joram Madnack, general manager of IOT when thanking his staff for their participation.

He also expressed his wish that all of them qualified to donate.

He remarked that tuna canning is not the only core business of the company but is also involved in helping the community in different ways.

“We will continue to support the local community,” said Mr Madnack, adding that the exercise is about setting the platform to know that IOT can do more to help the community.

“We have done many good things in the past but we don’t go to the press and we always keep a low profile. But I think it is to show the community what IOT is doing and will be doing as well,” he said.

The next commendable gesture from IOT will be a donation to the President’s Village at Port Glaud.

“I just decided to give. If a person becomes ill or suffers from an accident and needs blood, I would like to assist through my donation,” said staff member Josette Imam.

Warren Lucas, another IOT staff, also feels the same. “I decided to donate blood because I feel it can help people when they need blood. And if I am involved in an accident tomorrow, I may also need a certain amount of blood. Maybe somebody will donate for me. That’s why I am giving blood to help people in need when the time comes.”