SANBS experiences alarmingly low levels of blood stocks
The national lockdown imposed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic has left the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) severely understocked.
MBOMBELA – According to the SANBS donor relations practitioner, Relebohile Matsimbi, renewed calls for blood by the SANBS has seen a noticeable improvement in stock levels, but more is needed.
“Although stock levels have shown a slight increase, we are currently sitting at four days’ stock. As a result, we are increasing our efforts to draw the public to our donor centres so they can make a contribution,” said Matsimbi.
She added that donor centres can be found in White River, Barberton, Lydenburg and Sabie. “We are currently having an Adopt-A-Day initiative in which primary schools are encouraging people to donate blood at our donor centres,” she added.
SANBS is driving a campaign to get potential donors out to donate the much-needed blood in a bid to raise stock levels to an acceptable level.
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“Today we are at i’langa and Riverside Malls, while we will be moving Westend Shopping Centre tomorrow.”
The campaign will include Pick n Pay Barberton, Hazyview Junction on Wednesday and Lowveld Mall and Pick n Pay White River on Thursday.
An extended programme will held on Heritage Day next week Thursday, which will include Lowveld Mall, White River Crossing, and Pick n Pay White River and Barberton on Friday.
Matsimbi continued, “Our donor centres are open from 09:00 to 17:00 from Monday to Saturday and from 09:00 to 18:00 on Wednesdays.
“They will operate from 09:00 to 15:00 on public holidays,” she concluded. The SANBS chief marketing officer, Silungile Mlambo, reiterated the call for blood donations.
“We are experiencing a high demand for blood from hospitals and are in dire need of blood donations across the country. Our group O blood stocks have dropped significantly and we are appealing to all South Africans to donate a unit of blood in aid of those who need it most,” said Mlambo.
He added that the SANBS is calling specifically for type O blood because of its universality and stressed that SANBS aimed to collect an average of 3 000 units of blood daily, across South Africa.
“We are appealing to the public to make venues available to us for mobile blood drives. Suitable venues include spaces accessible and open to the public and large enough to ensure social distancing can be practised,” he urged.
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