The local branch of the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is low on stock and only has less than three days of blood supply.
Ms Dot Prinsloo, donor relations practitioner at the Teksa branch blood service, urged the community to support them by donating blood.
Dr Karin van den Berg, the medical director at SANBS, said the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on hospitals has stretched blood supplies in the country.
“Recently, the SANBS has experienced poor collection due to, among other challenges, low donor turn out to mobile blood drives and donor centres,” said Dr Van den Berg.
“While we continue to contend with declining blood stocks, the demand from patients has not slowed down.
“Lifesaving surgeries and the treatment of other illnesses still demands that we consistently supply much needed blood products.
“The situation is critical and could become dire if we fail to collect sufficient Group O blood.
“Our donors have always been incredibly generous during times of struggle and we need their help to ensure that our blood supply stabilises once more.
“Hospital demand for blood has been at its highest and the pressure from low donor turnout has not helped the situation at all.
“This is why, where possible, the SANBS has extended its donor centres’ operating hours for the foreseeable future, to allow donors more hours in the day to make their donations.”
Dr Van den Berg commended the donors who kept the SANBS going despite the current social uncertainties and general social anxiety that and she said they especially implored donors with O-positive and O-negative blood to donate blood as they can make the biggest immediate difference to the situation.
To donate blood, visit the Teksa Blood Service in Horwood Street in Secunda or the Bethal Blood Service near the Spar in Bethal.
