Hospitals have been asked to cut back on surgery because of a severe blood shortage, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) said on Thursday.
”South Africa is currently experiencing a severe blood shortage, particularly the ‘O’ blood type,” the service said.
This blood can be used in an emergency for all other blood types and is urgently needed.
”Hospitals have been requested to cut back on non-urgent surgery until such time as the situation improves.”
To illustrate the seriousness, the SANBS said that Durban’s King Edward hospital only has four units when it should have 35, the Johannesburg blood bank has 122 units when it should have 550, and Limpopo has 181 units instead of 510.
Blood donors must be between the ages of 16 and 65, weigh more than 50kg and lead a sexually safe lifestyle.
Clinic information can be obtained on Tel: 0800 119 031.
In the face of severe criticism, and on the order of the minister of health, the service has just revamped its system so that it no longer uses race to determine the safety of blood.
It is also recovering from an uproar over its policy to exclude blood from gay donors. — Sapa