KZN blood stocks hit critical low
KwaZulu-Natal is facing a drought of its own: a lack of blood, says SANBS.
WHILE the Western Cape battles a severe, prolonged drought, KwaZulu-Natal is currently facing scarcity of a different kind – a critical lack of blood.
Blood supply in South Africa’s second-most populous province is at just 1.8 days of Group O stock, according to the South African National Blood Service (SANBS).
The blood service is calling on donors and residents in the province to donate blood urgently, to stop cancer sufferers, people in life-threatening situations and anyone else who needs or relies on blood transfusions in KwaZulu-Natal being at risk.
“The blood stock in KZN is dangerously low. The blood supply is currently at just 1.8 days Group O stock, amounting to less than 200 units of O blood available around the province,” said Silungile Mlambo, national marketing manager for the SANBS.
Mlambo said a healthy blood stock in the province is 500 units of O blood a day.
“The situation, simply, is critical. We are appealing to residents of KwaZulu-Natal – active donors, lapsed donors and potential donors – to stand together right now to bolster the regional blood stock, and we thank them, in advance, for pulling together.”
To locate your nearest SANBS donor centre in KwaZulu-Natal, visit sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31.
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