BLOOD DONATION
LIFE-SAVING BLOOD - why you need to donate
Thando Pato finds out from the South African National Blood Service about the impact of COVID-19 on blood supplies and why they rely on voluntary blood donors
“At any given time, we require five days’ stock to safely meet the country’s demand for blood.” – Khensani Mahlangu
WHO NEEDS BLOOD AND WHY
Mahlangu says that every two seconds someone needs blood. And, since blood cannot be manufactured and has a limited shelf life, stocks must constantly be replenished by blood donors. Each pint of donated blood can save up to three lives. Some of the procedures requiring donated blood and the amount needed include: • • • • • • •
28 per cent to treat cancer and aplastic anaemia 27 per cent during childbirth 21 per cent for scheduled surgery 10 per cent for paediatric care 6 per cent goes to laboratories 6 per cent for orthopaedic care 4 per cent for accident or trauma victims.
HOW TO HELP
To donate blood, you can visit any donor centre countrywide. To find a donor centre in your area, visit www.sanbs.org.za, or call 0800 11 90 31. Mahlangu says that COVID-19 protocols and precautionary measures are in place at all their sites. “In addition to thoroughly assessing donors and staff at all entry points to our facilities, we defer donors with flu-like symptoms as a precautionary measure.” Mahlangu says anyone found to be at risk of being infected with COVID-19 will be deferred from donation as follows: • Individuals who have travelled overseas will be deferred for 28 days from the date of return. • Anyone with a confirmed diagnosis will be deferred for 28 days from the date of complete clearance of symptoms. • Individuals who have had close contact with anyone with a confirmed or probable infection will be deferred for 28 days from the last date of contact. • Anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms on the day of donation will be deferred for seven days. Potential donors can donate blood every 56 days and don’t need to be vaccinated. “Anyone, vaccinated or not, can donate blood. Like many international blood collection services, we allow people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 to donate blood. We do not require blood donors to disclose that they have been vaccinated nor do we document which THE SOUTH vaccine they have received.” AFRICAN NATIONAL Mahlangu urges everyone to donate regularly. “While BLOOD SERVICE these may be uncertain times where everyone is concerned for their safety, the need for blood will not cease. Millions of people get to live lives full of possibility and hope and happiness because of the selfless act of blood donors. Let us continue to work together to ensure that life-giving blood is available to those who need it.”
Images: Images:supplied iStock.com, Portrait image: supplied
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ess than one per cent of South Africans are active blood donors, according to the South African National Blood Service (SANBS). This means the country is prone to regular blood shortages. And, lockdown restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have had an adverse impact on regular blood collection Khensani Mahlangu initiatives, says Khensani Mahlangu, communications manager at SANBS. “Our blood collections have been significantly hindered by COVID-19 restrictions, which left us unable to access schools, universities and businesses. Despite more people reintegrating into their workplaces, we are still experiencing declines in blood stocks. There is apprehension from our corporate partners and schools to host us on-site, which means that we are struggling to meet our collection goals,” she explains. Before the pandemic, Mahlangu says, blood stocks fluctuated throughout the year. “Declines are commonly experienced during school holidays and the festive season, when, commonly, people go on vacation, and schools, universities and companies are closed. Blood drives at university campuses and schools yield about 40 per cent of our collections.” Mahlangu says that current shortages are so severe that there may be insufficient supply for the country. The SANBS needs to collect 3 500 units of blood a day to ensure a steady supply of blood products. “At any given time, we require five days’ stock to safely meet the country’s demand for blood,” she says.
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2021/11/24 2:04 PM
