Blood donation to continue as essential service

As an essential service within South Africa, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) appeals to donors from all blood groups to continue donating blood during the 21-day national lockdown starting at midnight on March 26.

“This should not discourage members of the public from donating lifesaving blood as we tackle this global health pandemic as a nation during this difficult period when our country needs you the most,” said Dr Jackie Thomson, SANBS medical director.

“As an essential service within South Africa, the SANBS therefore appeals to donors from all blood groups to continue donating blood to prevent blood stocks running critically low and placing the lives of our fellow South Africans at risk.”

All of their donor centres will remain open with extended operating hours to accommodate social-distancing measures.

Their extended operating hours will be from 8am to 7pm on weekdays and 8am to 2pm on weekends. Shopping mall donor centres remain accessible and mobile drives will be set up at large grocery stores to accommodate more donors.

Appointments can be made directly with your nearest donor centre to avoid queuing at the donor centre.

“We have taken precautionary measures to ensure that the people who utilise their facilities are protected,” said Thomson.

“We are assessing donors at all entry point to our facilities and mobile sites. We have also equipped all sites with additional antiseptic sprays and alcohol-based wipes.

“Our trained health-care practitioners operating in the field have been equipped with the necessary information to identify symptoms that may indicate Covid-19 infection, and should a donor not be feeling well, or exhibit any flu-like symptoms or signs of infection, they will not be permitted access to our facilities,” said Thomson.

“While travel to our various donor centres will be considered essential travel, our regular donor deferral periods will still apply.”