STRONG RELIGIOUS BELIEFS LEAD TO CRITICAL BLOOD SHORTAGE

MBABANE – Eswatini is grappling with a critical blood shortage.
The situation is exacerbated by religious scepticism surrounding blood donation, among other factors. According to Dr Velephi Okello, the Director of Health, the country is facing a severe shortfall of blood supplies, putting patients in urgent need of medical care at risk. She attributed part of this crisis to strong religious beliefs that prevent people from donating.
“The insufficiency is due to the decrease in donor numbers,” Dr Okello explained, adding that the ministry is actively encouraging regular donations. She noted that over the past few years, the primary donors for the Eswatini National Blood Transfusion Service (ENBTS) have been high school pupils.

“When schools are closed, we appeal to the general public to donate through outreach campaigns in communities and shopping malls,” she said. However, Dr Okello expressed uncertainty about how long the available blood supplies would last. “Since blood cannot be procured or bought, the ministry continues to plead with the public to make donating blood a habit rather than waiting until a relative is in need,” she stressed.

Transfusion

Currently, when a patient requires transfusion, they often have to call family members to come and donate, irrespective of the blood type. The collected blood is added to the hospital’s reserves, and when a transfusion is needed, the patient’s blood type is taken from the reserves, which is then replaced with the blood donated by his or her family members. A source indicated that this process can lead to confusion. He said sometimes the blood donated by family members is unusable due to contamination. Dr Okello assured the public that community mobilisation efforts will continue through the National Blood Bank Unit.  The ENBTS highlighted that blood demand is high and currently unmet, especially due to school closures, as most blood is sourced from high school pupils, followed by university students and members of the public during community events.

The challenges faced by the ENBTS include insufficient blood collection vehicles and inadequate fuel for operations. “Blood collection and recruitment are ongoing, so availability will depend on turnout. There is no definite date for when the blood supply might run out,” the ENBTS stated. Plans for ongoing blood drive campaigns are in place, and ENBTS intends to visit churches and businesses, as well as schools once they reopen. They also offer 24-hour blood collection services in Mbabane, Hlatikhulu and Manzini for those wishing to donate voluntarily or on behalf of a relative. This critical situation is largely attributed to concerns about blood donation that stem from strong religious beliefs. An investigation revealed that one primary issue regarding the acute shortage of blood arises from religious interpretations, particularly within certain Christian denominations. Reverend Muzi Manana from the Church of God expressed his reservations about blood donation, citing biblical passages prohibiting the transfer of human blood. “The blood of a human being carries the soul of that individual,” asserted Pastor Manana.

He emphasised that, in his view, this soul may contain ‘evil spirits’ linked to vices, which could be transmitted through transfusion. Nonetheless, Manana acknowledged the necessity of donating blood to save lives. He referenced Leviticus 7:26-27 to argue that the prohibition against consuming animal blood extends to human blood transfusions, as it implies a spiritual impurity. In contrast, traditionalist Elliot Mkhatshwa dismissed the religious objections as misguided. “That is utterly foolish,” he said, questioning the reasoning of those who avoid helping others due to their beliefs. “In the story of Adam and Eve, there must have been a transfer of blood when God created Eve from Adam’s rib,” he noted.

Mkhatshwa stressed that the country’s leadership should educate citizens about the importance of blood donation. He urged individuals to embrace altruism, saying: “One day, the tables may turn.” Chairman of Witchdoctors Association Makhanya Makhanya affirmed the spiritual significance of blood, referencing cultural beliefs around its magical and healing properties.
 “We often say, ‘Ingati yemuntfu iyakhuluma,’ meaning a person’s blood can tell stories about their life.” While Makhanya acknowledged the spiritual importance of blood, he concurred with Mkhatshwa, stating that there is no harm in donating blood. However, he emphasised that government must educate the public about the importance of blood donation. Despite ongoing efforts, overcoming entrenched religious beliefs poses a substantial challenge. Addressing these issues necessitates a multifaceted approach, including dialogue with religious leaders and public education campaigns that emphasise blood donation’s importance, while addressing concerns within religious communities through education and interpretation of religious texts.

The blood shortage in Eswatini highlights the urgent need for collaborative efforts to tackle these challenges. By fostering a clearer understanding of the safety and significance of blood donation, the nation can ensure this vital resource is available for those in need, safeguarding the health and well-being of its citizens.

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