Pretoria - Gauteng Health MEC Hope Papo has urged communities in the province to donate blood and save a life this festive season.
"This blood is vitally needed by hospitals, especially during the holidays as the number of people in need of surgery or blood transfusion increases due to road accidents amongst other reasons," Papo said.
In an effort to save lives this festive season and in support of the South African National Blood Service in their attempts to collect blood, on Wednesday, Papo gave a gift of life by donating blood at Cresta Shopping Centre in Randburg.
For more information and more places to donate blood during this festive season, people can call 080 011 9031.
Meanwhile, in a quest to encourage people to practice safe sex and decrease sexually transmitted infections this festive season, Papo will today distribute condoms at Blitz Weigh Bridge in Heidelberg Plaza.
He said the initiative aims at creating awareness around the need for condom use to prevent the spread of diseases and unplanned pregnancies.
Health care workers will also on the day conduct health screenings such as blood pressure, glucose and HIV as well as distribute educational materials such as pamphlets and stickers to motorists.
