On Friday, November 3, over 100 Police officers in Kigali donated blood to boost the national blood bank and to support those in need.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Olivier Nyarwaya is one of the officers, who donated blood in an exercise spearheaded by Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), at the Rwanda National Police RNP General Headquarters, Kacyiru.

SP Nyarwaya has been donating blood since 2001.

"I have been donating blood for the last 22 years with a loving heart to help those in need of blood. There are many people in hospitals, who need blood.

I urge others to have that helping spirit because a unit of blood you donate...you have proudly saved someone’s life," said SP Nyarwaya.

To him, donating blood is also an opportunity for medical check-up and to know your healthy status.

Adeline Niyondamya from National Centre for Blood Transfusion (NCBT) thanked Police officers for donating blood.

"Voluntary blood donation in the country is high compared to the level of turn up before.

We thank Rwanda National Police for being at the forefront because the turn up is always high in all its units," Niyondamya said.

She added that this has boosted the national blood bank, but encouraged Rwandans to continue with the loving heart of donating blood.

"We have enough blood in the bank to save lives in hospitals, where blood is given free of charge. We continue to encourage people to have a heart of love and donate blood. Remember, there is someone you are saving when you donate blood but also ensuring that you will also be able to get blood at that critical moment when you or your relative need it."

Niyondamya erased fears of any difficulties arising from donating blood, adding that the body regains the donated blood within 36 hours. She, however, encouraged blood donors to eat more nutritious food.