Blood stocks at critical levels
KZN only has 0.9 days of blood stock, but needs a stock level of five days at all times by collecting 3 000 units of blood per day.
SOUTH African National Blood Service’s blood stock has depleted to just 1.5 days nationally.
According to Sifiso Khoza, regional marketing manager for SANBS’s East Coast region, SANBS is experiencing yet another difficult time in terms of blood collections.
“Nearly 40 per cent of the blood we collect comes from schools and universities, and due to the holidays we were unable to host these blood drives. This, together with many people who also take a break, the blood stock levels are impacted significantly. Currently the blood stock at a national level is 1.5 days and in KZN it is 0.9 days,” said Khoza.
Vanessa Raju, communications manager at SANBS, said SANBS needs to maintain a stock level of five days at all times by collecting 3 000 units of blood per day to meet the demand of the thousands of patients who are reliant on blood transfusions for their survival.
“The organisation is appealing to members of the public who meet the minimum blood donor requirements, especially blood donors who may have missed a blood donation, to help boost supplies by committing to donating blood,” said Raju.
In order to become a blood donor you must weigh at least 50kg, be between the ages of 16 and 65, lead a safe sexual lifestyle, be in general good health and consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient.
If you wish to find out more on where to donate and more on becoming a donor, contact 0800 119 031, e-mail customerservice@sanbs.org.za or visit www.sanbs.org.za.
