Help SANBS avoid another crisis

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is experiencing critical blood supply shortages.

The SANBS said the pandemic has severely limited its ability to collect adequate blood stocks particularly because it does not have access to schools, colleges and corporate for blood drives.

“As a result, blood stocks have dropped significantly. SANBS is hoping, however, that donors who are due to donate are able to find the time to make a difference to the lives of others by donating blood,” said Silungile Mlambo, SANBS chief marketing officer.

“We are experiencing a high demand of blood from hospitals and are in dire need of blood donations across the country. Our Group O blood stocks have dropped significantly and we are appealing to all South Africans to donate a unit of blood in aid of those who need blood.”

Blood Group O is considered the universal blood group because anyone, regardless of blood type, can receive type O blood.

SANBS aims to collect an average of 5000 units of blood every day, nationally.

“It is through planned, sustainable blood drives at companies, organisations and institutions that we are able to achieve this collection target. “SANBS is appealing to the public to make venues available for mobile blood drives. Suitable venues include spaces accessible and open to the public.”

Safety of donors

Mlambo said the safety of donors, staff and overall South African community are of utmost importance to the SANBS and extensive precautionary measures have been taken to ensure donor safety.

“All persons accessing donor clinics are thoroughly screened and anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms or symptoms of infections is advised to delay donation until they are well.”

Blood donation is still safe during this time and persons confirmed with Covid-19 infection or at risk will be deferred from donation as follows:

• Individuals who have travelled overseas will be deferred for 28 days from date of return from these countries.
• Individuals with confirmed diagnosis with Covid-19 infection will be deferred for 28 days from date of complete clearance of symptoms.
• Individuals who have had close contact with anyone with confirmed or probable Covid-19 infection will be deferred for 28 days from last date of contact.
• Anyone exhibiting flu-symptoms on day of donation will be deferred for seven days.

“The current shortages pose a real danger to the healthcare systems in our country. There are many people who rely on these life-saving donations to remain healthy and to lead normal lives,” Mlambo concluded.

It is important to note that individuals are not at risk of contracting Covid-19 through the blood donation process, or via a blood transfusion since respiratory viruses are generally not known to be transmittable by donation or transfusion.

They are appealing to willing and eligible donors to visit their nearest mobile and fixed donor centres.

To be eligible to donate blood, you need to:

• Be free of any cold and flu symptoms.
• Be between the ages of 16 and 75
• Weigh more than 50kg.
• Be in good health.
• Consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient.
• Lead a healthy lifestyle.

For more information contact our call centre on 0800 11 9031 or visit our website on www.sanbs.org.za