THE South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is experiencing a critical shortage of blood and has appealed for donors.
The SANBS said in a statement today the shortage was mainly due to the lack of blood drives it could hold at schools and universities.
“There is a critical shortage of blood across the country, with blood stocks at just 1.5 days of group O stock, equating to 1 473 units as of today 1st November 2017.”
The SANBS indicated that the situation in KwaZulu-Natal was particularly acute, with less than one day’s supply of blood available. The blood supply in the province is currently at 0.7 days of stock (129 units), compared with a healthy blood stock for KZN of 500 units.
The Northern Zone only has 1.2 days of stock available and Gauteng only around 1.5 days. Blood stocks in the Free State and Northern Cape are currently at 1.7 days.
It is considered a crisis when blood stocks dip below two days of stock available.
“The blood stock in the country is dangerously low. The blood supply is currently at less than 1.5 group O stock, compared with a healthy blood stock of 3 000 units or five days’ supply,” says Silungile Mlambo, national marketing manager for the SANBS.
“The situation has in fact reached a critical level in KwaZulu-Natal and we appeal to all South Africans – active donors, lapsed donors and potential donors – to go to their local donor centre and donate blood to bolster the national blood stock.”
Mlambo says blood was critical for cancer patients and women in childbirth – who constitute by far the greatest groups of people requiring blood transfusions.
“So many people in life-threatening situations require blood. It’s what saves a haemorrhaging mother’s life, so that she can raise and love the baby she has just brought into the world. It’s what saves someone suffering complications during major surgery. It’s what helps cancer patients endure and survive treatment.
“And that’s the point: it’s not just blood; it’s saving people’s lives, through a simple, easy donation,” says Mlambo.
He also appealed to people to become regular donors, saying for donors to donate blood four times a year could assist in avoiding similar situations.
To find out more about donating blood and to locate the nearest SANBS donor centre, visit sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31. Komani’s SANBS centre is located in Robinson Road, opposite the Public Gardens.
