Women’s Month: Donate blood to save mothers
CRAIGHALL – As the country marks Women’s Month in August, residents are advised to donate blood during the month.
The South African National Blood Service acknowledges the challenges many women face when they experience gynaecological and other childbirth complications.
The blood service understands the pain from mothers and wives who are often helpless when their loved ones are in hospital awaiting blood transfusions and they hope that with the help of the public, they will be able to make a small difference in the lives of those affected.
According to the World Health Organisation, the death of women from childbirth complications continues to be a serious global health challenge. Currently, about 800 women die needlessly from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications daily. Severe bleeding during delivery and after childbirth is a major cause of death, illness and long-term disability.
However, blood transfusion has been identified as one of the nine key life-saving interventions for the management of pregnancy-related complications. Approximately 26 percent of donated blood that the blood service collects is used for childbirth and gynaecological cases.
Communications manager of the blood service, Vanessa Raju said, “At the South African National Blood Service we work hard at ensuring that there is always adequate, safe blood available but this is only possible with the help of blood donors.”
In honour of Women’s Month, the blood service urges people who meet the minimum requirements to help prevent maternal deaths and any other complications by donating blood.
Minimum blood donor requirements:
• Ages between 16 and 65 years
• Weigh 50kg or more
• Good health
• Lead a sexually safe lifestyle
Details: Craighall Blood Donor Centre, Colony Shopping Centre 0800 119 031.
