Blood shortage causes concern
South African National Blood Service CEO says it becomes difficult during the festive season because they won't receive many blood donations from school children, and the festive season does lead to more accidents on the road.
THE South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is facing a shortage of blood, causing concern as blood is expected to be in high demand during the festive season.
This was highlighted during a media breakfast held at the SANBS offices in Mount Edgecombe on Thursday, November 24.
SANBS senior manager of Marketing, Communication and Brand, Thandi Mosupye, said the diminishing number of blood stocks is worrying.
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“When we have five days’ worth of supply, we know we have enough, but currently, we are sitting on just two days’ worth of stock, and that is not good at all.
“We wish to extend our greatest gratitude to our regular donors for their continuous support. One unit of blood can save up to three lives, and that is a big deal. We ask the public to go out and donate and help save lives,” said Mosupye.
SANBS CEO Ravi Reddy said it becomes difficult during the festive season because the SANBS receives a lot of blood from schoolchildren.
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“We can never be ready because we receive a lot of blood donors from schools and universities. Schools are closed, universities are closed and most businesses are either closed or operating on limited staff. We are as ready as we can be. We have engaged with all the major shopping malls, so we will have blood drives almost every day. We are also engaging with hospitals to be able to ration the blood more during this time period.
“Fortunately, it is the festive holiday period, and some procedures don’t happen during this time. Trauma and accidents are the biggest during this time, which also require a lot of blood. Donating blood is the most selfless act. By giving up 30 minutes of your time and donating a unit of blood, that blood can go to your family or even end up being used by people you don’t know, and it will save that person’s life.
“Part of today was to actually show the other side of donating blood. The more stories we can share of how we’ve saved lives, the more people will go out to donate blood,” said Reddy.
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