Africa-Press – Botswana. Batswana are encouraged to make regular Full Blood Count (FBC) tests a normal part of their health routine in order to prevent and manage various blood-associated diseases.
Dr Elizabeth Botsile, a haematologist at Sidilega and Gaborone Private Hospital, stressed the importance of frequent FBC testing.
She said the test provided valuable information about blood levels and overall health, helping doctors to diagnose, monitor, and screen for a wide range of diseases, conditions, blood disorders, and infections.
Dr Botsile said regular FBC testing could reduce the need for blood transfusions.
In addition, she said the FBC test was instrumental in evaluating overall health and detecting various conditions, including anaemia, which was one of the most common blood disorders in Botswana.
According to Dr Botsile , Anaemia, often caused by iron deficiency, is particularly prevalent among girls and women due to factors like heavy menstrual periods.
In addition to mentioning the prevalence of iron deficiency among school-going adolescents, Dr Botsile highlighted its impact on small children, especially when they transition from breastfeeding to solid foods.
She underlined the importance of iron supplements for expectant mothers to prevent iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy, which could affect their unborn children. Regarding younger populations and adolescents, Dr Botsile pointed out that iron deficiency often occurs due to inadequate dietary intake, stressing the importance of balanced meals for children.
“In developed countries, it is reported that 30 per cent of school going 13-19-year-olds have iron deficiency and are anaemic, and in a developing country such as Botswana, the number can be as high as 48 per cent,” she said.
Further, she explained that iron deficiency occurs when the body’s need for iron exceeded its intake, which is necessary for haemoglobin production. Dr Botsile also shed light on the symptoms of anaemia, such as fatigue, low energy, and pale skin, and the potential impact on heart function.
She said frequent FBC testing could help prevent severe iron deficiency, which could otherwise interfere with daily activities and lead to dependency on donated blood.
Furthermore, Dr Botsile emphasised that iron deficiency, if treated properly, was not a lifelong condition.
Treatment may involve oral iron supplements or, in severe cases, injections. She advised individuals to maintain a well-balanced diet and be aware of symptoms to address any recurring anaemia, as it could indicate an underlying cause.
Dr Botsile encouraged individuals to adopt healthy eating habits, consume iron-rich foods like beetroots, liver, and spinach, and consider sources of iron such as molasses.
Strict vegetarians were also advised to monitor their iron levels and focus on proper nutrition as a preventive measure against anaemia.
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