Help the SANBS avoid crisis
GK CRONJE
11 September 2020
“We are experiencing a high demand for blood from hospitals and are in dire need of blood donations across the country. Our Group O blood stocks have dropped significantly and we are appealing to all South Africans to donate a unit of blood in aid of those who need it most,” petitioned Silungile Mlambo, SANBS Chief Marketing Officer.
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is currently experiencing critical blood shortages. At a time when people are understandably focused on staying safe and avoiding contracting the COVID-19 infection, little concern is available for much else. COVID-19 restrictions have severely limited our ability to collect adequate blood stocks, particularly because we are not able to access schools, tertiary institutions and corporates, to host blood drives.
As a result, our blood stocks have dropped significantly. We are hoping, however, that donors who are due to donate are able to find the time to make a difference to the lives of others by donating blood.
SANBS aims to collect an average of 3000 units of blood every day, nationally. It is through planned, sustainable blood drives at companies, institutions and communities that we are able to achieve this collection target. They are appealing to the public to make venues available to us for mobile blood drives. Suitable venues include accessible spaces which are open to the public and large enough to ensure social distancing can be practiced.
Read more in the next publication of the Tribune Newspaper.