Netcare on Wednesday urged healthcare professionals and the public to support and implement blood-conservation projects.
Its appeal comes after an urgent call by the South African National Blood Service for people to donate blood.
The managing director of Netcare’s Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Michael Pepper, said: ”Due to a crisis in blood supply, we might not be able to perform elective surgery and might be sending away patients in need.
”This is deeply regrettable as is it preventable,” said Pepper.
He explained that Netcare had recognised a trend towards global blood shortages several years ago, and therefore established a blood-conservation programme.
The programme was launched as far back as September 2000 with the objective of providing suitable alternatives to the use of donated blood.
A number of specialised techniques are currently available to promote blood conservation.
One such technique is an advanced blood saver that aims to collect, purify and re-circulate blood that would be lost during surgery.
The other technique is known as pre-operative autologous donation.
It entails the patient donating his or her own blood before a procedure.
”The programme has seen phenomenal growth over the past seven years with roughly 450 patients being treated in 2001 and 20 000 being treated in the current financial year,” said Pepper.
The blood shortage hit crisis proportions following a bad influenza season coupled with a high demand for transfusions.
This is linked to severe anaemia accompanying HIV/Aids in certain areas of the country. — Sapa