SANBS needs 3 000 units of blood per day

THE South African National Blood Services (SANBS) desperately needs to collect 3 000 units of blood a day to meet the demand of sick patients who need blood transfusions.

According to Sifiso Khoza, SANBS’s regional marketing manager, every unit of blood is vital. Once tested and deemed safe for transfusion, it is separated into red blood cells, platelets and plasma. Therefore a unit of blood can save up to three people’s lives.

“The SANBS needs to provide more than a million blood products to patients annually, and without the generosity and commitment of donors, it would be almost impossible,” said Khoza.

Research has shown that the SANBS requires more regular blood donors to consistently meet the country’s demand for this precious resource. Regular donors are encouraged to donate blood every 56 days, or a minimum of three times a year. Regular blood donors are the safest donors, because their blood is tested regularly and proven to be safe. They are also more familiar with the SANBS’s education processes.

“The SANBS adheres to international standards as well as taking the local prevalence of viruses into consideration. Therefore, every unit of blood is individually tested for blood group, HIV, hepatitis B and C as well as syphilis,” said Khoza.

He added that in 2005 SANBS introduced a more sophisticated test called the Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAT), which evaluated the quality of the blood collected and supplied to be among the safest in the world. There have been no reported cases of HIV transmission through a blood transfusion since the implementation of NAT testing.

There are few requirements to become a donor: you have to be between the ages of 16 and 65 years, weigh more than 50kg, be in good health, live a sexually-safe lifestyle and consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient. People who meet these requirements are encouraged to become regular blood donors. Contact 0800 11 903 or visit www.sanbs.org.za to find the nearest donor centre.