SANBS sets up mobile clinic after looting in Pinetown

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) will set up a mobile clinic at the Checkers St Johns.

This comes after the SANBS branch at Pinecrest Shopping Centre was looted and vandalised.

The SANBS office, situated in New Germany, was also severely looted.

Donor relations practitioner, Neelashan Govender said donor gifts, tools of the trade and some medical tools were looted.

“We are slowly getting back on our feet. It was a struggle to source medical tools as manufacturers were closed and recently opened,” he said.

Govender appealed to the public to support the blood drives as there was no blood donated for about a week, due to the unrest in the province.

He also pleaded with companies to open its doors for them and host blood drives as the country is now on alert level 3.

“It is still going to be tricky with the Pinecrest branch closed indefinitely.

He added that the looting of the SANBS offices has had a psychological impact on staff.

“Some staff were afraid to come to work. Some of our donors could see on TV what had happened to SANBS and their reaction was to come and help as soon as it was safe to do while others are afraid to come out,” said Govender.

The mobile clinic, which started on Tuesday, 27 July, will be open from 09:00 to 15:00.

To find out where you nearest blood donor clinic is call 0800 119 031 or visit www.sanbs.org.za.