Community raise concerns over SANBS mobile blood unit in Ermelo
Ermelo residents question SANBS mobile blood unit’s safety and permanence as winter arrives, calling for improved fixed-site facilities.
ERMELO – Concerned residents have raised questions over the continued use of a mobile blood donation unit stationed at the Merino Mall’s parking lot, months after the closure of the South African National Blood Service’s (SANBS) fixed site at the Jaunricvor Centre.
While the original premises reportedly remain in limited use for administrative purposes, no alternative fixed-site donation facility has been introduced, leaving some locals uncertain about SANBS’s long-term plans for Ermelo.
One resident, who frequently visits the blood bank with her husband, a blood cancer patient, says she was told the mobile unit would only be a temporary measure.
“We were told this would be a temporary solution for about six months and that a more permanent structure would follow. It’s unclear now what the long-term plan is,” she said.
Her concerns go beyond personal inconvenience.
“This isn’t about us. It’s about every person who wants to donate blood and about the staff who are expected to work in cramped conditions with little to no protection from the elements, especially now with winter upon us.”
In response to earlier accessibility concerns raised by a resident, SANBS has since installed hand railings at the unit’s steps.
A visit by Highvelder on June 5 confirmed that the mobile unit, while clean and functional, remains extremely compact.
Staff on duty were open, friendly and eager to assist. They welcomed Highvelder inside the unit, which was still being set up at the time, and allowed for photos to be taken while no donors were present.
As such, the photos may appear a bit cluttered, reflecting the ongoing setup rather than the usual arrangement.
After the visit, Highvelder submitted questions to Ronald Marsh, the SANBS Mpumalanga zone donor manager.
He acknowledged the challenges faced in Ermelo over the past five to six years, particularly in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Marsh, this was a “concept idea” aimed at improving accessibility, and like any pilot, it comes with some trial and error.
He added that the SANBS remains committed to continuous improvement and welcomes constructive community feedback
Read more in this week’s print edition of Highvelder:
- SANBS’s full response to community concerns
- A further look at residents’ concerns relating to convenience and safety aspects
