Local SANBS gearing up for festive season blood demand
Community members are urged to roll up their sleeves to help ensure the local blood bank has sufficient blood stock this festive season.
As the festive season approaches, a period often marked by increased travel, road accidents and medical emergencies, the local South African National Blood Service (SANBS) branch is already preparing to meet the expected rise in blood demand across the country.
According to Peter Mafela, a donor practitioner at the local SANBS, the organisation schedules blood drives nationally to collect an average of 3 500 units of blood daily, ensuring hospitals and emergency services have access to life-saving supplies throughout the holidays.
To strengthen reserves, SANBS will launch a national blood donation campaign called Mall to Action on November 29. The goal is to collect 5 000 units in a single day, giving a vital boost to blood stock levels ahead of the festive period.
“This campaign is aimed at ensuring that we start the festive season with sufficient stock, while also encouraging both regular and first-time donors to step forward,” Mafela said.
Responding to a question with regards to measures taken to ensure the blood bank maintain a steady supply, Mafela responded: “Blood products are issued to patients strictly based on clinical need, and SANBS continues to work closely with doctors to ensure responsible ordering.
“Our blood banks monitor stock levels daily. If there’s a shortage in one area, products can be couriered to another blood bank quickly. We also maintain close co-ordination with hospitals to ensure we can respond promptly during emergencies. Our mission is to save patients’ lives.”
Engaging donors and leveraging technology
Mafela pointed out that donors are reminded when they are due to give blood again and are informed of nearby donation sites through SMS and social media platforms. SANBS’s media partners also help spread these reminders and raise public awareness about the ongoing need for blood.
Technology plays a vital role in the organisation’s operations. Historical data helps forecast demand, while digital systems allow for real-time tracking of blood stocks.
“Technology also helps us plan proactively and communicate more effectively with both staff and the public,” Mafela noted.
Despite the holiday rush, Mafela said SANBS will have sufficient staff working. Only employees scheduled for annual leave will be off duty, ensuring that mobile clinics and blood drives continue without disruption.
To increase public awareness, SANBS runs adverts across various media platforms and has recently launched the Blood Matters podcast, which discusses topics related to what SANBS does.
Reflecting on the previous festive season, Mafela said SANBS aims to improve on its 2024 performance.
“We plan to better our planning and execution so that the plans we have produce even stronger outcomes this year,” he said.
Visit the SANBS donor centre at East Rand Mall, open from 10:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and 09:00 to 15:00 on weekends and public holidays.
For information or to host a blood drive, call Peter Mafela on 079 891 1169 or email peter.mafela@sanbs.org.za
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