INLSA
Dr Monica Vaithlinghum, behind, joins her patients, from left, Robert Eddels, Juwairya Limalia and Nkosi Zulu at the Durban Country Club yesterday. All three children suffer from cancer and need blood transfusions.
Lungelo Mkamba
SOUTH Africa had less than three days’ blood stock, while KwaZulu-Natal had less than two days’ stock, the SA National Blood Service (SANBS) said yesterday.
While Durban people are expected to celebrate over the festive season, the service faces a difficult time for blood collections, resulting in severe blood stock shortages.
“If December blood stock levels are anything to go by, we know that this is always a tough time, and this has a huge impact on patients,” SANBS spokeswoman Vanessa Raju said. The blood service’s Gail Nothard says the country should have five days’ blood stock.
“Nationally, we have 2.8 days’ stock, while KZN has 1.5 days’ stock. About 40 percent of our stock comes from schools and universities, and since both are closed for the festive season, things are difficult,” she said.
The SANBS held a breakfast meeting with the media at the Durban Country Club yesterday.
“It is an annual event just to thank the media, because every time we have a shortage or crisis, the media always help us by putting the message out there.”
She said a leukaemia patient had spoken at the briefing yesterday and left the guests in tears.
“The patient had been diagnosed at the age of six and spoke about how the SANBS had helped him when he needed blood.
Nothard said that December was a “critical” time because patients were left waiting for blood.
“This situation will continue until the last week of December.
“We have opened all our donor centres from Monday to Wednesday until 6pm in the evening.”
She said the blood service had done everything it could to avoid the shortage, but it could not be prevented.
“We will be going to shopping centres around the country this festive season, and all we can do is ask and hope people donate blood, because we really need stock,” she said.
She said patients with illnesses such as cancer would suffer because of the shortage.
To find your nearest clinic, call 080 011 9031, or find the SANBS on Facebook or Twitter. Alternatively, visit www.sanbs.org.za.
