STATE hospitals in Zululand may be requested to cut back on elective and non-urgent surgeries if critically low blood supplies in the region do not improve.
On Friday afternoon, the Zululand Blood Donor Centre confirmed that current blood stocks were sitting on a three-day supply.
The South African National Blood Service needs to maintain stock levels of five days at all times by collecting 3 000 units of blood per day to meet the demand of thousands of patients who are reliant on blood transfusions for their survival.
‘Traditionally the winter months are a difficult time for collections as schools and universities are closed for holidays and an increase in illnesses such as flu have a great impact on blood collection,’ said Sister Debbie Duff of the Zululand Blood Donor Centre.
‘With families on holiday, we are also seeing an increase in accidents with more accident victims requiring blood transfusions. Mothers and newborns during childbirth also require between two and three units of blood in emergencies. Cancer patients in particular need blood during emergency surgeries,’ said Duff.
Group ‘O’ type blood is used in emergency cases and for paediatrics, as it is compatible with every blood group and is the best blood to use in many cases for a newborn.
‘We encourage regular donors to bring someone along to boost our numbers. Your one unit of blood can save up to three lives,’ Duff said.
Blood donors must be between the ages of 16 and 65, be in good health, weigh more than 50kg and lead a sexually safe lifestyle.
For more information, contact the Zululand Blood Donor Centre on 035 7893610.
Additional planned mobile clinics:
Monday, 20 July – Five Ways Superspar (10am – 4pm)
Wednesday, 21 July – Mondi Richards Bay (9am – 3.30pm)
Thursday, 22 July – Empangeni High School (9am – 2pm)
Friday, 23 July – Richards Bay Secondary (9am – 2pm)
Monday, 27 July – Richards Bay High School (9am – 2pm)
Tuesday, 28/7 – eShowe High School (9.30am – 2pm)
Wednesday, 29 July – Masibumbane High School (9.30am – 2.30pm)
Thursday, 30 July – John Ross College (9am – 2.30pm)
Friday, 31July – Richem Secondary (9am – 2pm).
