The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is currently experiencing critical blood shortages.
At a time when people are understandably focused on staying safe and avoiding contracting Covid-19, little concern is available for much else. Covid-19 restrictions have severely limited the service’s ability to collect adequate blood stocks, particularly because they are not able to access schools, tertiary institutions and corporates to host blood drives.
As a result, their blood stocks have dropped significantly. The organisation is hoping that donors who are due to donate are able to find the time to make a difference to the lives of others.
“We are experiencing a high demand for blood from hospitals and are in dire need of blood donations across the country. Our Group O blood stocks have dropped significantly and we are appealing to all South Africans to donate a unit of blood in aid of those who need it most,” said Silungile Mlambo, SANBS chief marketing officer.
Blood Group O is considered the universal blood group because anyone, regardless of blood type, can receive type O blood without risking a transfusion reaction. The service aims to collect an average of 3 000 units of blood every day, nationally. It is through planned, sustainable blood drives at companies, institutions and communities that they are able to achieve this collection target.
They are appealing to the public to make venues available to them for mobile blood drives. Suitable venues include accessible spaces which are open to the public and large enough to ensure social distancing can be practised.
The safety of donors, staff and overall, the South African community, are of utmost importance to the organisation and extensive precautionary measures have been taken to ensure donor safety. All persons accessing donor clinics are thoroughly screened and anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms or symptoms of infection is advised to delay donation until they are well.
Blood donation is still safe during this time and persons confirmed with Covid-19 infection or at risk will be deferred from donation as follows:
- Individuals with confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19 infection will be deferred for 28 days from date of complete clearance of symptoms.
- Individuals who have had close contact with anyone with confirmed or probable Covid-19 infection will be deferred for 28 days from last date of contact.
- Anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms on the day of donation will be deferred for seven days.
“The current shortages pose a real danger to the healthcare system in our country. There are many people who rely on these life-saving donations to remain healthy and to lead normal lives,” Mlambo concluded.
It is important to note that individuals are not at risk of contracting Covid-19 through the blood donation process or via a blood transfusion, since respiratory viruses are generally not known to be transmittable by donation or transfusion. The organisation is appealing to willing and eligible donors to visit their nearest mobile and fixed donor centres.
To be eligible to donate blood you need to:
- Be free of any cold and flu symptoms.
- Be between the ages of 16 and 75.
- Weigh more than 50kg.
- Be in good health.
- Consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient.
- Lead a healthy lifestyle.
Details: SANBS call centre on 080 011 9031; www.sanbs.org.za
