Ouagadougou: The Central Directorate of Culture and Arts of the Armed Forces organized a blood donation operation this Tuesday as part of the commemoration of the second phase of the Days of Patriotic Commitment and Citizen Participation (JEPPC). The activity was marked by the presence of the Minister of State, Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, Brigadier General Celestin Simpore, who set an example by offering his own blood.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the operation mobilized the various bodies of the Defense and Security Forces (FDS), who came to give a little of their blood to save lives. The Minister of State, Brigadier General Celestin Simpore, welcomed this initiative, which is part of the celebration of Patriotic Commitment Days. “Blood cannot be manufactured, it cannot be synthesized. This is why we have deemed it useful, through these days, to accomplish a patriotic act for our fellow citizens,” he declared.
For Brigadier General Simpore, this gesture symbolizes “the greatest gift we can offer to our people,” as it saves lives, especially those of children suffering from malaria or other diseases requiring blood transfusions. The activity also aims to strengthen the care of wounded people in theaters of operation, traffic accident victims, and any other medical emergency requiring blood.
The Minister of Defense expressed his satisfaction at having accomplished this civic act and invited the population, the Defense and Security Forces, as well as all people of good will, to do the same. “Blood is something that God gave us and that we can share with others,” he added. Ministry officials hope to mobilize a large number of donors throughout the day to collect a sufficient quantity of blood bags for the benefit of the Burkinabe population.
Airman Victor Penegue Traore, from Air Base 511, explained his commitment to participating in this initiative: “For this Citizenship Day, I came to give blood to support our FDS brothers injured in action. Giving blood saves a life. You can’t buy blood, so volunteering to give it is an act of solidarity and love for the nation.”