As the country continues to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, the need for blood products is rapidly starting to increase. The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) says despite the extraordinary response from regular donors, they are experiencing shortages, owing to the scarcity of mobile blood drive venues. Covid-19 restrictions have severely limited the SANBS’s ability to collect adequate blood stocks, particularly because they cannot access schools, colleges and corporates for blood drives.
The schools will also be closed for the school holidays in October. “The SANBS is doing their utmost to continue maintaining adequate blood stock levels to service the needs of our country. The high demand for blood requires that we work even harder together to ensure that no lives are lost due to blood shortages,” said Mr Ravi Reddy, the chief operations officer. In our networks of friends, families and colleagues, there will always be someone who is able to donate blood. “Partner with us and lend a hand in ramping up our recruitment efforts. We urge healthy, eligible blood donors to donate and help prevent shortages,” the SANBS said. The public is also reassured that the SANBS has continually maintained and implemented safety and wellness measures at their donor centres and mobile blood drives across the country. Parys residents can donate blood at the Reformed Church Hall on the corner of Loop and Paulsen streets between 12:00 and 18:00 on Tuesday, 27 October. The goal is to reach 50 units.
