SECUNDA – The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is celebrating 25 years of saving lives this month.
Ravi Reddy, Chief Executive Officer of the SANBS, said: “For 25 years, the SANBS has quietly been connecting strangers through a powerful act of humanity, the decision to donate blood.”
Since its establishment in 2001, following the amalgamation of six previously independent regional blood services, SANBS has grown into a vital pillar of South Africa’s healthcare system, serving eight of the country’s nine provinces.
Reddy said the SANBS remains a cornerstone of public health, ensuring a safe, reliable and sustainable blood
supply for millions of South Africans.
“However, beyond the systems, science and scale, lies something far more meaningful: people,” said Reddy.
“This milestone belongs to the millions of South Africans who have rolled up their sleeves to give a part of themselves so that someone else can live.
“It belongs to the healthcare workers who rely on every unit of blood, the professionals who ensure its safety, and the families whose lives have been forever changed by a donation they may never see.
“Every unit of blood carries hope. Every donor carries someone’s second chance.”
The SANBS marked this milestone on April 17 with an event in Gauteng that brought together all stakeholders.
The Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, delivered the keynote address and reflected on the importance of collective action in building a healthcare system that serves all.
Reddy said: “As SANBS looks ahead, its legacy remains deeply human; to continue building a culture of donation, to strengthen trust and to ensure that every patient, regardless of where they are, has access to safe, quality blood and blood products.
“At its heart, SANBS’ work is about people choosing each other. It reflects a nation stepping forward, time and again, when it matters most.”
The SANBS aims to collect 3 500 units of blood daily nationwide to ensure a safe and sufficient supply for South Africa’s healthcare system.
Regular donations are critical because a unit of blood lasts only 42 days.
“We encourage donors to commit to giving blood regularly, ensuring a continuous supply for those in need,” said Reddy.
