PLEA TO DONATE BLOOD AS STOCKS RUN LOW
If we drop under one day of stock, there will be drastic cutbacks where patients will suffer.
Short of blood, the South African National Blood Services (SANBS) is calling on all people to donate blood.
“Blood donation is very important. We are saving lives and hospitals all over South Africa are depending on us. We, as SANBS, rely on regular donors who come forward and donate to us.
“If we don’t get the supply, that is when we go into a crisis. Doctors will be forced to do cutbacks where they are forced to prioritise, we don’t like to reach those levels,” said the SANBS’s Khulekani Zuma.
He added that there was stock for only one-and-a-half days and that it was normal to have five days’ supplies. “We are getting to the lower end of the stock and it is not good,” he said.
“If we drop under one day of stock, there will be drastic cutbacks where patients will suffer. Some patients need blood on a daily basis so we need donations every day. There are mothers who need blood after Caesarian sections to replenish what they have lost,” he said.
He added that although the main donation centre is situated at 294 Jabu Ndlovu Street, the SANBS constantly runs blood drives throughout the city.
“We have two days during the week, on a Tuesday and Thursday, where we close at 6 pm to accommodate those who work late. Schools, which are our biggest sources, are going to be starting their exams soon so we will not be able to visit them, so we will need the businesses, communities and churches to come forward and host the blood drive,” he said.
Deon Pienaar, who has donated blood 98 times, urged people to come through to donate.
“SANBS is saving lives and they are doing the best they can but they need help from the people,” he said.
Zuma added that businesses and communities willing to host the blood drive in their communities can reach out to him by e-mailing Khulekani.zuma@sanbs. org.za or call him on 082 328 9587 or the SANBS toll free number on 0800 119031.