As Lesotho enters the peak of the festive season, the Ministry of Health has issued an urgent plea for blood donations, revealing that the national blood bank is currently operating on a razor-thin margin.
In a press statement released on Thursday, December 18, 2025, the ministry detailed its Festive Season Preparedness Plan, highlighting a precarious situation at the Lesotho Blood Transfusion Services (LBTS).
Currently, the LBTS holds approximately 250 units of blood. However, this supply is not yet ready for clinical use, as it is still undergoing mandatory laboratory testing. Once cleared, these units will be distributed to various hospitals across the country.
While 250 units may sound substantial, health officials warn it is nowhere near enough to cover the anticipated surge in emergencies between now and mid-January.
“Blood can never be enough, especially when in a festive season,” the ministry stated. “We need more volunteers to donate so that we don’t run short and everyone’s life is saved.”
The urgency stems from a predictable spike in trauma cases during the holidays. The Ministry’s preparedness plan identifies several high-risk factors that historically drain blood supplies including, road Traffic Accidents, increased travel often leads to high-impact collisions, Trauma and Violence, a rise in alcohol-related incidents and physical altercations and Maternal Emergencies, ongoing needs for life-saving transfusions during childbirth.
To combat the expected pressure on the system, the ministry has frozen leave for all doctors and limited leave for other essential staff.
A “call-back” system is in place for laboratory and pharmacy technicians to ensure 24/7 coverage.
The government is calling on the public to adopt the mantra “Health is our shared responsibility.” By donating blood now, healthy citizens can provide the literal lifeline needed for those who may face emergencies in the coming weeks.
The public is encouraged to visit their nearest blood collection point or contact the Lesotho Blood Transfusion Services to volunteer.
Summary
- As Lesotho enters the peak of the festive season, the Ministry of Health has issued an urgent plea for blood donations, revealing that the national blood bank is currently operating on a razor-thin margin.
- In a press statement released on Thursday, December 18, 2025, the ministry detailed its Festive Season Preparedness Plan, highlighting a precarious situation at the Lesotho Blood Transfusion Services (LBTS).
- The Ministry’s preparedness plan identifies several high-risk factors that historically drain blood supplies including, road Traffic Accidents, increased travel often leads to high-impact collisions, Trauma and Violence, a rise in alcohol-related incidents and physical altercations and Maternal Emergencies, ongoing needs for life-saving transfusions during childbirth.
Ntsoaki Motaung is an award-winning health journalist from Lesotho, specializing in community health stories with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as HIV. She has contributed to platforms like “Be in the KNOW,” highlighting issues such as the exclusion of people with disabilities from HIV prevention efforts in Lesotho.
In addition to her journalism, Ntsoaki serves as the Country Coordinator for the Regional Media Action Plan Support Network (REMAPSEN). She is also a 2023 CPHIA Journalism Fellow.
