Call for blood ahead of the holidays
JOBURG - The public has been called on to donate blood.
The Gauteng Department of Health is urging people to donate blood, which is in greater demand during the holiday season due to the higher number of road accidents.
“South African National Blood Service workers are out in places such as malls pleading for blood,” the department said in a statement.
“Hospitals use this blood for transfusion during surgeries and your donation can save a life.”
The blood service’s current blood stock is expected to last 3.5 days.
The department also advised travellers that having a medical check-up before travelling could save their lives on the roads this holiday season.
Health MEC Hope Papo urged drivers to “know their health status” before embarking on long journeys.
“In order to minimise road fatalities this Easter, I urge all drivers to go to any health facility and undergo an eye, diabetes and epilepsy tests as these conditions, if not properly monitored, can be contributory factors in road accidents.”
Papo also urged those travelling to areas that pose health risks to take the necessary precautions before they travel.
“We also plead with those residents who will be travelling to malaria endemic areas such as Kruger National Park, Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya and Somalia to take anti-malarial medication to protect themselves and those who will be in contact with them upon return.”
In 2013, Gauteng recorded more than 1 700 cases of malaria and of those, 23 resulted in death.
The department noted that those who died did not take precautionary measures against the disease.
