Blood bank remains essential amid pandemic
With mobile clinics unable to bring in as much stock as before, the blood bank has had to rely on donors visiting its Richards Bay premises, located at the Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre.
THE South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is calling for donors of all blood groups as stocks are critically low. READ MORE: SANBS Journey of Blood With mobile clinics unable to bring in as much stock as before, the blood bank has had to rely on donors visiting its Richards Bay premises, located at the Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre. Covid-19 safety SANBS has been operating as an essential service throughout lockdown, and necessary safety measures are in place to ensure all donors – at mobile sites and the centre – are protected. Additional precautionary measures to ensure the safety of blood and blood products include: &People with confirmed cases of Covid-19 infection will be deferred for 28 days from the date of complete clearance of symptoms &People who have been in close contact with confirmed or probable Covid-19 cases will be deferred for 21 days from the last date of contact; &A pre-existing requirement – all donors must delay donation if they are exhibiting any flu-like symptoms or signs of infection until they are in good health. Combatting shortages Despite the extraordinary response from generous regular donors, SANBS is still experiencing shortages owing to the scarcity of mobile blood drive venues. SANBS Chief Operations Officer, Ravi Reddy, said Covid-19 restrictions have severely limited the ability to collect adequate blood stocks, particularly with limited access to schools, colleges and corporates for blood drives. ‘At the SANBS, we are doing our utmost to continue to maintain adequate blood stock levels to service the needs of our country,’ she said. ‘The high demand for blood means we have to work even harder to ensure that no lives are lost due to blood shortages.’ Reddy said people can book group donations, host mobile drive events or encourage their networks of friends, families and colleagues to donate if they are unable to. Minimum requirements to be a blood donor: *You are between the ages of 16 and 75 years old, for first time donors. *You weigh a minimum of 50 kgs (For platelets, a minimum of 55 kgs). *You are in good health. *You lead a low-risk lifestyle. *You consider your blood safe for transfusion. *You have had a balanced meal within four hours of donating blood. *You have not donated blood in the last 56 days (and platelets in the last 14 days.) *Your pulse is between 50-100 regular beats per minute. *Your blood pressure is below 180 systolic (first number) and below 100 diastolic (second number) (180/100mmHg) and above 100 systolic (first number) and above 60 diastolic (second number) (100/60mmHg). *Your hemoglobin level is 12.5g/dL or above. *Screening test ensures that your blood pressure and hemoglobin levels are within a safe range for you to donate. Visit www.sanbs.org.za to book a mobile blood drive and for more information. Alternatively, contact the call centre on 0800 11 9031. HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer
