KZN faces blood bank drought

While the Western Cape battles a severe, prolonged drought, KwaZulu-Natal is currently facing scarcity of a different kind – a critical lack of blood.

Blood supply in South Africa’s second-most populous province is at just 1.8 days of Group O stock, according to the South African National Blood Service (SANBS).

The blood service is calling on donors and residents in the province to come forward to donate blood urgently, to stop cancer sufferers, people in life-threatening situations and anyone else who needs or relies on blood transfusions in KwaZulu-Natal from being at risk.

“The blood stock in KZN is dangerously low. The blood supply is currently at just 1.8 days Group O stock, amounting to less than 200 units of O blood available around the province,” said Silungile Mlambo, national marketing manager for the SANBS.

“A healthy blood stock in the province is 500 units of O blood a day. The situation, simply, is critical.

“We are appealing to residents of KZN – active donors, lapsed donors and potential donors – to stand together right now to bolster the regional blood stock, and we thank them, in advance, for pulling together.”

Mlambo says blood is critical for cancer patients and women in childbirth – who constitute by far the greatest groups of people requiring blood transfusions.

“It’s not just blood. It’s saving people’s lives, through a simple, easy donation.”

The SANBS also appeals to residents to become regular donors. By donating blood only four times a year, we can easily avoid situations such as this.

SANBS has a blood donor clinic at the Ballito Library on the second Tuesday of every month and the next clinic is September 12.

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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