BECAUSE of the Covid-19 lockdown regulations, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) cannot run blood drives typically hosted at schools, tertiary institutions and businesses, resulting in severely depleted blood stocks.
This has prompted the desperate plea for blood donors to step up and save a life by donating at the SANBS Richards Bay Donor Centre.
ALSO READ: Plans for KZN vaccine roll-out under way
SANBS requires more than 3 300 donations to meet current patients’ demand across the country. All donors can be assured that SANBS prioritises donor safety through extensive precautionary measures, including thorough donor screening.
Blood donation is still safe, and there is no risk of contracting Covid-19 through the blood donation process, or via a blood transfusion because respiratory viruses are generally not known to be transmissible by donation or transfusion.
To donate blood
SANBS advises all donors to ensure they’re healthy before coming to the Richards Bay Donor Centre at Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre, Richards Bay (L40 next to Hub). The operating hours are:
Monday to Friday: 9am to 4.30pm
Saturday: 8.30am to 1.30pm
Sunday: closed
