The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has been hard at work ensuring that this year, blood shortage is avoided.
Communications manager of SANBS Vanessa Raju says with all efforts in place it seems the cold weather is keeping donors away.
Raju said the winter months are a difficult time due to schools and universities being on holiday plus increase with illnesses such as the flu virus has had a great impact on blood collection.
She said that this places the non-profit organisation under immense pressure to collect safe and good quality blood products.
“SANBS needs to maintain a blood stock level of five days at all times by collecting 3000 units of blood per day to meet the demand of the thousands of patients who are reliant on blood transfusions for their survival,” she said.
“However, at the moment we have only two days of blood stock available on a national level.”
Raju said it is with only the help of the selfless blood donors that the organisation will be able to ensure that patients who are reliant on blood transfusions will be able to receive it.
SANBS is appealing to people, particularly to regular donors to not miss out on their next donation date and to others who meet the minimum requirements to become a blood donor, to help boost supplies by committing to donating blood.
Minimum blood donor requirements:
– Ages between 16 and 65 years.
– Weigh 50kg or more.
– Good health.
– Lead a sexually safe lifestyle.
