Blood service in survival mode as urgent call goes out to donors

NATIONAL blood stocks dwindled to critical levels yesterday with just more than a day’s stock left.

The Eastern Cape had less than two days’ supply left yesterday, but Nina van Wyk, of the Port Elizabeth branch of the SA National Blood Service (SANBS), said other provinces had to be urgently supplied, causing the branch’s stocks to drop to critical levels. “To add to that, surgical theatres are opening again and doctors are starting their routine surgeries. They also need blood.

“We have imposed cutbacks, meaning patients will get just enough blood to keep them alive.”

Elize Scheepers, of the SANBS, said: “We usually try to have about five days of stock, but nationally we have 1.2 days’ stock left.

“We are in survival mode. We are collecting what we can every day. But just as fast as blood is coming in, it goes out to hospitals and patients.”

Scheepers says the service does not anticipate stocks improving to any great extent until blood drives can take place when schools return later in the month.

The SANBS asked that as many eligible donors as possible donate blood as soon as possible.

To be eligible a donor must be between the ages of 16 and 65, weigh more than 50kg, and lead a safe and healthy lifestyle. Where to donate: ý The Bridge Shopping Centre (Game foyer), Mondays-Fridays 9am to 2pm, Saturdays 9am to 2pm;

ý PE Blood Donor Centre (Provincial Hospital grounds), Mondays-Fridays 9am to 5pm, Saturdays 8am to 11am;

ý Walker Drive Blood Donor Centre (above Bonamia), Tuesdays-Fridays 9.30am to 6pm, Saturdays 8am to 2pm;

ý Cleary Park Blood Donor Centre (Banking Mall), Tuesdays-Fridays 9am to 5.30pm, Saturdays 8am to 2pm; and

ý Uitenhage Blood Donor Centre (2 Billson Street), Mondays and Thursdays 10am to 6pm.