Blood service has less than three days’ stock of group O blood to help those in need

SECUNDA – The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) urgently needs blood donations.

Mr Ravi Reddy, the chief operations officer of SANBS, said they have less than three days’ stock of group O blood and it is much lower than the five days stock needed to sustain the need.

He said the SANBS is facing severe blood stock shortages, to the extent that there may not be sufficient blood available for patients in need over the festive season.

Mr Reddy urged all potential and existing blood donors to visit their nearest SANBS branch to donate blood.

“Although the festive season is fun for most people, it is a difficult period for doctors who work hard to save lives, needing blood and blood products to do so,” said Mr Reddy.

“Traditionally, December is a difficult time for the SANBS, with limited access to corporate blood drives and availability of donors, impacting on the ability to collect the minimum of 3 500 units of blood a day that are needed to treat patients.

“We approach this season with low stocks and we know that we have some tough times ahead if donors do not respond to our call to lend a hand.”

The SANBS’ inability to access venues for blood drives is also hampering meeting collection targets successfully.

As a result, blood stocks continue to dwindle steadily.

Mr Reddy also asked the community to make venues available for blood drives.

Suitable venues include spaces accessible and open to the public. “As we head into the busy holiday season, we are facing a particularly challenging situation.”

For more information contact the Teks branch of the SANBS in Secunda at 017 631 1652 or in Bethal at 017 647 5598.