They remind the public that, as the population grows and access to healthcare improves, the demand for blood supplies to keep people alive in medical emergencies is constantly increasing.
During the launch of SA Blood Donor Month in Johannesburg on Tuesday (June 2) SANBS chief operating officer Ravi Reddy highlighted the challenge: “Our target for 2015 is 815 509 units of blood.”
He says this will only be achieved if many of the present donors are able to increase the number of donations they make, and if members of the public come forward to replace donors who have given generously over the years but can no longer do so.
South Africa is one of only 62 countries worldwide where the entire blood supply is donated free of charge by volunteers.
On June 14, the country joins others across the globe to mark World Blood Donor Day.
SANBS expands this event into a month-long campaign to highlight the critical importance of blood donation.
No health system can do its job without a dependable supply of safe blood.
“It is nothing short of a miracle that this vital aspect of healthcare is in the hands of volunteers and that they never fail us,” says Ravi.
Many don’t appreciate the sheer range of situations in which blood plays a life-or-death role.
These include everyday occurrences such as childbirth and non-emergency surgery, as well as rare blood diseases, cancer treatment and major trauma.
Any one could find they owe their life to the generosity of a stranger who gives the gift of blood.
Blood donors must be free of blood-borne pathogens, such as HIV and hepatitis B, to protect patients from infection.
The HIV epidemic in South Africa raised doubts some years ago that SANBS would be able to maintain infection-free blood supplies and, at the same time, keep pace with the demand for blood.
Ravi says they are very proud to say that South Africa has met this challenge.
The SANBS have diversified their blood donor base and don’t distinguish on the grounds of race, sexual orientation or place of residence.
“Through better communication with prospective donors and by embracing ultra-sensitive testing technology to detect HIV infection, we have not had a single reported case of transfusion-acquired HIV,” he concludes.
