NEWCASTLE KZN: Rioting puts more pressure on blood donations
Donors in affected areas are urged to take caution and delay donating blood until it is safe to do so.
Continued incidents of looting and public unrest are anticipated to have a significant impact on blood collections.
In a recent statement, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) commented on how ‘pockets of violence and instability’ would potentially negatively affect mobile blood drives and donor centres. The cancellation or even postponement of these blood drives will likely result in fewer units of blood and targets not being reached.
“With rising Covid-19 infection rates, we anticipate added pressure on our blood stocks in coming weeks,” read the statement.
SANBS has emphasised the safety of donors is most important and implored every person willing to visit donor centres to be increasingly vigilant and ensure their own safety.
“Donors in affected areas are urged to take caution and delay donation until it is safe to do so… Where protest action has had no effect, our operations are continuing as normal and all measures are being taken to protect our employees, donors, and all stakeholders.”
To be eligible to donate blood, you must: be between the ages of 16 and 75 years, weigh 50kg or more, be in good health, lead a healthy lifestyle, consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient, and commit to donating blood regularly.
