Exams leave blood stocks perilously low

IT appears that November is going to prove to be a testing month – not just for pupils and students writing their matric and other end-of-year examinations, but also for the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), which is experiencing a critical shortage of blood because of the lack of blood drives it can hold at schools and universities.

There is a critical shortage of blood across the country, with blood stocks at just 1.5 days of group O stock, equating to 1 473 units as of 1 November.

The situation in KwaZulu-Natal is particularly acute, with less than one day’s supply of blood available.

The blood supply in the province is currently at 0.7 days of stock (129 units), compared with a healthy blood stock for KZN of 500 units.

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It is considered a crisis when blood stocks dip below two days of stock available.

“The blood stock in the country is dangerously low. The blood supply is currently at less than 1.5 group O stock, compared with a healthy blood stock of 3 000 units or five days’ supply,” said national marketing manager for the SANBS, Silungile Mlambo.

“The situation has in fact reached a critical level in KwaZulu-Natal and we appeal to active donors, lapsed donors and potential donors to go to their

local donor centre and donate blood to bolster the national blood stock.”

Mlambo saids blood is critical for cancer patients and women in childbirth who constitute the greatest groups of people requiring blood transfusions.

For details about donating blood and to locate your nearest SANBS donor centre, visithttps://sanbs.org.za/sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31.

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The SA National Blood Service will be at the Highway Mail office, 115 Escom Road, New Germany on Tuesday 5 December between 9am and 12pm.