NEWCASTLE KZN: Blood stocks drop to critically low levels
Donors with O-positive and O-negative blood can make the biggest difference to the situation.
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) says the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on hospitals, has stretched national blood supplies to the limit.
Low donor turnout at mobile blood drives and donor centres are among the other reasons listed for poor blood stock collection recently.
In a press release today, Dr Karin van den Berg, the SANBS Medical Director, said the situation remains critical and could become truly dire, should sufficient Group O blood not be collected.
“While we continue to contend with declining blood stocks, the demand from patients has not slowed down. Lifesaving surgeries and the treatment of other illnesses still demands that we consistently supply much needed blood products.”
Nationally, SANBS has less than three days’ worth of blood, and donors are being urged to rally behind the ‘lifesaving mission’. As such, donor centres have extended their opening hours including operating on Sundays.
Hospital demand is currently at its highest, added van den Berg. She once again called on the generosity of donors to help blood stocks return to stable levels of at least seven days’ worth.
“We commend the donors who have kept us going despite the current social uncertainties and general social anxiety that plagues many people at the moment. We especially implore donors with O-positive and O-negative blood to make their donation, as they can make the biggest immediate difference to the situation we face right now.”
For more information and for donor centres in your area, visit www.sanbs.org.za or call 080 011 9031. Residents, businesses, or organisations which can make venues available for blood drives are also invited to visit the SANBS webpage to book a blood drive.
To become a blood donor, you must: be between the ages of 16 and 75 years, weigh 50kg or more, lead a healthy lifestyle, consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient and, commit to donating blood regularly.
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