SANBS stocks fall below target ahead of festive season
2 min readSouth Africa’s blood stocks have fallen to 3.9 days’ cover, below the five-day minimum target, prompting the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) to appeal for more donations as collections fall short of the 3 500 units needed daily to meet patient demand.
Read:
SA starts coronavirus plasma treatment study
Five healthcare decisions South Africans should make before year-end
Monique Schreiner, senior manager of donor relations at SANBS, says that “the current blood supply is under significant pressure, and we need the public’s support to rebuild stocks ahead of the festive season”.
The declining supply comes as the festive season approaches, raising concerns about the blood service’s ability to maintain sufficient stocks during a period when patients continue to depend on transfusions for surgery, childbirth complications, cancer treatment, and emergency care.
ADVERTISEMENT
CONTINUE READING BELOW
Some regions are already under greater pressure, with stocks below three days’ cover. Group O blood is particularly critical in emergencies where there is insufficient time to establish a patient’s blood group before a transfusion is required.
The shortfall places additional pressure on SANBS to rebuild its reserves through increased donations, with the organisation calling on active donors, lapsed donors, and eligible first-time donors to contribute.
Read:
Africa has the world’s greatest genetic diversity
US aid cuts drove sharp HIV service drops in Africa, study finds
ADVERTISEMENT:
CONTINUE READING BELOW
The organisation says daily collections are currently insufficient to meet demand, highlighting the importance of maintaining a consistent supply rather than relying on donations only when stocks reach critical levels.
SANBS is urging eligible South Africans not to postpone donations, warning that blood availability remains essential to supporting patients who require transfusions throughout the year.
Phenyo Selinda is a Moneyweb intern.*
#SANBS #stocks #fall #target #ahead #festive #season