NIHSS partners with parents and friends in blood donation campaign |06 November 2020

Over 30 parents and acquaintances of the National Institute of Health and Social Studies have taken part in a blood drive at the Seychelles Hospital in efforts to promote volunteerism among students and the community.

The activity, which took place at the blood transfusion unit yesterday morning, was an early tribute to World Volunteer Day, commemorated annually on December 5.

UN Volunteers describes International Volunteer Day as an opportunity to promote volunteerism, encourage governments to support volunteer efforts and recognise volunteer contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local, national and international levels.

Vanessa Seth, registrar at the National Institute of Health and Social Studies (NIHSS), said the act of volunteerism was a commendable one as it will help save human lives.

“The event follows an awareness campaign which began on September 11 to educate NIHSS students on the need for blood donation,” she noted.

She added that they conducted the activity early because they wanted students and their acquaintances to reflect on opportunities that volunteering offers, for them to influence their own lives and their community.

“The institute hopes students will be more aware of the benefits of blood donation and become future health workers who regularly donate blood,” she concluded.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of the blood donation exercise yesterday.

Roland Duval/Press release from NIHSS

Photos: Joena Meme