Blood stocks critically low

AN increase in blood needed for hospital patients, coupled with already critically low blood stock, has led to a countrywide shortage of this precious life source.

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is calling on all blood donors, particularly group AB donors, to visit their nearest blood bank or mobile clinic.

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Local donors are encouraged to stop at the Richards Bay Blood Donor Centre at Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre to donate their pint.

Richards Bay blood bank operating times:
Friday, 1 October: 9am-4.30pm
Saturday, 2 October: 8.30am-1.30pm
Sunday, 3 October: 9am-1pm

Regular donors may even receive a gift as a thank you from the SANBS.

Heeding the call to help boost blood stocks was dedicated donor Richards Bay resident Craig Pretorius who has reached his 100th donation milestone.

He encourages the youth to become regular donors.

With the roll-out of the national Covid-19 vaccination programme, more South Africans, including blood donors, are queuing up to get their vaccination.

SANBS confirmed that it does not defer vaccinated people from donating, nor does it record whether a donor has been vaccinated or not.

This is in line with other international blood services.

‘We are confident that the currently approved vaccines do not pose a safety risk to blood recipients,’ said SANBS in a statement.

‘We follow international blood collection best practice and act quickly if there is any concern regarding blood product safety or possible harm to our patients.

‘We urge all healthy donors to come forward and continue to donate much needed, life-saving blood.’