Old Mutual donates US$15K to NBSZ

RYAN CHIGOCHE

Zimbabwe’s largest financial services group, Old Mutual Zimbabwe , on Thursday donated US$15 000 to National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ), which will go towards a renewable power project.

Speaking at the handover ceremony in the capital, Old Mutual Zimbabwe chief operating officer,  Isiah Mashinya, said his company was committed to helping communities they operate in.

”Today is a special day, and this ceremonial cheque handover is an auspicious occasion. As Old Mutual we are committed to play our role in supporting the communities we operate in and donating blood is key to saving lives in our communities,” Mashinya said.

NBSZ board chairman Rogers Matsikidze  said the donation will go a long way in addressing  that the organisation has been grappling with.

”’Our cold chain devices in the laboratories are refrigerators, plazma freezers and platelet agitators run by electricity which when  there is load shedding, we depend on generators,” Matsikidze said.

He added: “I would like to thank Old Mutual Zimbabwe for the generous donation of US$15000  towards the development  of a low-cost solar energy system for the blood bank. This donation will enable us to have a  source of power  which is critical to maintain reliable cold chain for blood components. Your contribution will go a long way in addressing the power challenges that NBSZ faces,” he added.

The NBSZ is currently running a blood donation campaign named ‘Ngaibake’ across the country to ease blood shortages.

Old Mutual employees have voluntarily donated blood to NBSZ at the company’s Head Office in Harare.