#savealife: Eased restrictions make it easier to donate blood

The South African National Blood Services (SANBS) calls on all eligible donors to roll up their sleeves to celebrate Human Rights Day on March 21.

Access to healthcare, including safe blood, is a fundamental human right and remains the SANBS’s continued undertaking to deliver on this mission.

“Every year, many South Africans receive a life-saving blood transfusion that is made possible by the selfless acts of our donors,” said Siemi Prithvi Raj, executive of transfusion donor services and marketing.

“We are driven by a calling to save lives and to ensure that every citizen has access to safe blood when they need it. Although the call for all blood types continues, the SANBS invites donors of the O-blood group to step up.”

With changes having been made to the SANBS Covid 19 donor deferral measures, donors are urged to take advantage of the eased regulations to visit their nearest donor centres and not only donate a unit of blood, but also commit to a regular donation.

New deferral measures include:
• Asymptomatic donors can donate blood, including healthcare workers.
• Direct contact with symptoms of infection is now seven days, from the date of complete clearance of symptoms.
• Individuals who have travelled overseas can now donate 10 days after arrival.
• Individuals with confirmed infection can donate blood seven days after all symptoms have cleared.
• Asymptomatic individuals with Covid 19 can donate seven days after their last positive test.

Lockdown regulations impact blood stocks
South African National Blood Services (SANBS) donor services staff have, in the past couple of weeks, been successful in collecting an average of 3 000 units of blood daily yet, meeting the demand of the O-blood group is a continuous battle.

The facility remains under pressure in this regard only being able to maintain three days’ worth of stock.
As the country continues to regain a sense of normalcy following the severe Covid 19 lockdown regulations the SANBS continues to battle to collect blood and blood products.

“We are doing our utmost to maintain adequate blood stock levels to service the needs of our country,” said Ravi Reddy, COO.

“The high demand for blood requires that we work even harder together to ensure no loss of lives due to blood shortages.”

He said that committed donors have always responded to calls for donations but the mass reintegration of people returning to work has slowed traffic to donor centres and mobile blood drives.

Collection drives have been compromised as regulations limit SANBS’ access to schools, colleges and corporates where a majority of all blood is collected during mobile blood drives..

“While many are not able to become donors they can still by motivating others. Together we can ensure a consistent flow of safe and live-saving blood stocks,” he said.

“Booking group donations and hosting mobile blood drive events is a meaningful way to mobilise your network to help save lives.”

Should your organisation, business or school would like to facilitate a blood drive contact the call centre on 0800 11 9031.

Upcoming SANBS blood drives in your neighbourhood:
• Kingfisher Corner, Sunward Park14 and 24 March from 11:00 to 15:00
• El Ridge Shopping Centre, Bartlett15 and 28 March from 10:00 to 15:00

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