Eye Radio staff today donated blood in commemoration of the Martyrs’ Day.

There is no enough blood for emergency cases in the hospital because people in South Sudan are afraid of donating blood, according to officials at the Juba Teaching Hospital.

News Editor Mabior Philip, whose child once needed blood transfusion and was helped by doctors who got blood from unknown donor, says he is returning the favor.

“As I donate blood, I do it hoping that I’m also helping someone in a critical condition,” Mr Philip said.

“So, I take this moment to call upon…..those who listen to us, those who are around us to donate blood to help save lives of those in critical conditions.”

Although the blood bank was officially opened in July 2014, there is still lack of blood because people do not donate blood to the blood bank due to what they described as cultural beliefs.

“I feel good because I’ve donated blood to my people who are in need of it,” said Dawn Producer Obaj Okuj. “I’m doing this as part of my nationalism.”

For her part Adeng Kornelio, Dawn Editor, says it is important to donate blood.

“I feel satisfied because I’m helping people who are in need of blood because this is something that they cannot just buy in the market,” she stated.

“It’s not like donating food or any other item; it’s something very precious.”

The blood is being collected by the National Blood Transfusion which will in turn distribute it to various public hospitals.

Moriku Lilian, nurse counselor in the national blood transition service, called for other people to do the same in order to save lives of the people in need:

“We are asking people outside there if they don’t mind and there are not too busy please let’s join hand together and do the same activities that Eye Radio has done.”