The east coast of South Africa is experiencing a severe blood shortage, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) said on Wednesday.
Blood stocks in the region, which includes KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, are ”way down”, especially of type O blood, said SANBS spokesperson Ianthe Exall.
”The situation on the east coast is extremely serious, with just 1,9 days’ stock available, where ideally the stock level should be standing at seven days,” she said.
”Collections are not meeting demand at present. SANBS is unable to access many schools at this time of the year because of examinations, and this impacts severely on blood collection.”
With just 1% of the eligible population donating blood, SANBS is focusing heavily on education and awareness to increase the donor base, Exall said. She said this takes time, which many patients do not have.
”Unless the situation improves, the chances are that someone could die because there is no blood available. We cannot allow that to happen.”
The O-blood type can be used in an emergency for all other blood types and is urgently needed countrywide. The inland region has just 3,6 days’ stock in hand.
”This translates to 3 296 units whereas the required level is 6 491,” Exall said. — Sapa