Matric, end-of-year examinations leave blood stocks in parlous state.
It appears that November is going to prove to be a testing month – not just for pupils and students writing their matric and other end-of-year examinations, but also for the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), which is experiencing a critical shortage of blood because of the lack of blood drives it can hold at schools and universities.
There is a critical shortage of blood across the country, with blood stocks at just 1.5 days of group O stock, equating to 1 473 units as of today 1st November 2017.
The situation in KwaZulu-Natal is particularly acute, with less than one day’s supply of blood available. The blood supply in the province is currently at 0.7 days of stock (129 units), compared with a healthy bloodstock for KZN of 500 units.
The Northern Zone only has 1.2 days of stock available and Gauteng only around 1.5 days. Blood stocks in the Free State and Northern Cape are currently at 1.7 days.
It is considered a crisis when blood stocks dip below two days of stock available.
“The bloodstock in the country is dangerously low. The blood supply is currently at less than 1.5 group O stock, compared with a healthy bloodstock of 3 000 units or five days’ supply,” says Silungile Mlambo, national marketing manager for the SANBS.
“The situation has, in fact, reached a critical level in KwaZulu-Natal and we appeal to all South Africans – active donors, lapsed donors and potential donors – to go to their local donor centre and donate blood to bolster the national bloodstock.”
Mlambo says blood is critical for cancer patients and women in childbirth – who constitute by far the greatest groups of people requiring blood transfusions.
“So many people in life-threatening situations require blood. It’s what saves a haemorrhaging mother’s life so that she can raise and love the baby she has just brought into the world. It’s what saves someone suffering complications during major surgery. It’s what helps cancer patients endure and survive treatment.
“And that’s the point: it’s not just blood; it’s saving people’s lives, through a simple, easy donation,” says Mlambo.
The SANBS appeals to South Africans to donate blood immediately.
“More than that, however, we appeal to South Africans to become regular donors. By donating blood only four times a year, we can easily avoid situations such as the one in which we find ourselves,” says Mlambo.
To find out more about donating blood and to locate your nearest SANBS donor centre, visitsanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31.