Help the blood bank avert critical shortage

THE South African National Blood Service (SANBS) anticipates a critical blood shortage as people avoid donating because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

As in previous years, SANBS also battles with collections during the winter months owing to people falling ill with flu and colds.

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Chief Marketing Officer, Silungile Mlambo, said they hoped donors that were due to donate find the time to help make a difference.

‘The safety of donors and staff are of the utmost importance to SANBS, and extensive precautionary measures have been taken.

‘All persons accessing donor clinics are thoroughly screened and anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms is advised to delay donation until they are well.

‘It is important to note that people are not at risk of contracting Covid-19 through the blood donation process, or via a blood transfusion, since respiratory viruses are generally not known to be transmittable by donation or transfusion.

‘The imminent shortages pose a real danger to the healthcare systems in our country and we encourage donors to support us,’ said Mlambo.

The nearest blood bank is at Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre in Richards Bay.

To be eligible to donate blood, you need to:
* Be free of any cold and flu symptoms
* Be between the ages of 16 and 65
* Weigh more than 50kg
* Be in good health
* Consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient
* Lead a healthy lifestyle