Matric exams leave blood stocks in parlous state
The blood stock in the country is dangerously low.
It appears that November is going to prove to be a testing month – not just for pupils and students writing their matric and other end-of-year examinations, but also for the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), which is experiencing a critical shortage of blood because it cannot hold blood drives at schools and universities during examinations.
The SANBS revealed on 1 November that 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.
The situation in KwaZulu-Natal is 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 Cape only has 1,2 days of stock available and Gauteng only about 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,” said 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 is 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,” said Silungile.
The SANBS appeals to South Africans to donate blood immediately.
“More than that, however, we appeal to South Africans to become regular donors. By donating blood only four times a year, we can easily avoid situations such as the one in which we find ourselves.”
To find out more about donating blood and to locate your nearest SANBS donor centre, visit sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31.
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