In the latest South African Blood Service (SANBS) magazine, the service reveals what donors and patients frequently ask their doctors.
The answers revealed that the most common reasons for individuals not being able to donate blood is low iron, pregnancy or other medical conditions. SANBS will not accept blood with low iron as they do not want to risk lowering a donor’s iron levels even further by taking blood.
Most donors are curious about their blood types. A person’s blood group is genetically inherited from both parents. There are eight different common blood types and four major blood groups, namely A, B, AB and O. These are determined by the absence or presence of the A or B antigen on the surface of the red blood cells. Antigens trigger the body’s immune response if they are foreign to the body, therefore, safe blood transfusions require careful blood typing and cross-matching.
But where does the donated blood go and how do I know if it is safe? The most common patients who need blood products in South Africa are women in childbirth, cancer patients and surgery cases. Blood products are screened for possible transfusion-transmissible infections using ID NAT testing to ensure safe transfusions. SANBS also advises all doctors to request a full cross-match and compatibility test when they order blood.
SANBS’ currently has enough stock for 3,4 days. Ideally, the SANBS wants to hold enough stock for five days, and aims to collect 3 000 units of blood per day to meet this demand. Visit the SANBS website at https://sanbs.org.za/donor-centres/ to see where your closest donation centre is.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at northsider@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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