The Western Cape SANBS is raising awareness about the national blood shortage of type O and encouraging donors in all provinces to help up stocks.
Cape Town, South Africa (22 April 2022) – The Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) is appealing to all eligible donors to donate blood as O blood stocks are critically low.
“Currently, we only have a 2-day blood supply in O+ and a 3-day supply in O- blood group”, says Marike Gevers, Public Relations Manager at WCBS. “We are also facing a national O bloodstock crisis due to the continuing impacts of the floods in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)”, Gevers added.
The floods in KZN have significantly impacted the availability of blood in the KZN Province:
- Due to infrastructure damage of blood donation venues, opportunities to donate blood have been curtailed.
- Blood Service Staff have been directly impacted; many have lost belongings, houses and have great difficulty getting to work.
- Usage of blood continues to stretch resources due to the ongoing trauma burden and other clinical requirements for blood products.
KZN is supplied by the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), but in times of crisis, every Blood Service, including WCBS, is committed to maintaining sufficient national blood stocks and assisting areas where there are blood shortages.
If you are between the ages of 16 and 75, weigh 50kg or more, are in good general health, and lead a safe sexual lifestyle, you should be able to donate.
To find your closest blood donation clinic in the Western Cape, please download the WCBS app on Android and iOS, send us a WhatsApp on 060 549 7244 or visit sanbs.org.za or call 0800 119 031.
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