Give blood before Ramadan
With the holy month of Ramadan looming, blood donor organizations may face a shortage of blood, as fasting Muslims will refrain from donating due to a lack of food in their system. Blood in the Western Cape region is already at an alarmingly low rate and the South African National Blood Service’s (SANBS) is now urging blood donors to come forward and donate as soon as possible. The Western Cape Blood Transfusion Service public relations officer Marlize Mouton told VOC’s Afternoon Cruise that they are in dire need of blood donors and that the current blood stock level is only enough for two days. Stocks will drop further if the organization is unable to increase collections.
“Unfortunately blood can not be artificially manufactured and only the real thing will do, so this is why we rely on our voluntary donors for regular blood donations and by regular we mean four times a year or every 66days,” she said. “With every blood donation we can save up to three peoples lives and with the daily target of a five days blood stocks which is only possible with 3000 units collected per day, we have not achieved this since the start of the winter.”
Each year during the winter season they are left with a low amount of donors and this places huge burdens on SANBS. “During this period we struggle the most to get in blood donors especially during winter, because of the cold weather, flu’s, school holidays, and of cause with the Ramadan coming up as well. The blood that is being donated is beneficial and contributes in treatment towards many lives and if no one is contributing then we are definitely sitting with a huge problem. Therefore we are urging the community to come out and donate,” she appealed.
“With this we are therefore requesting the Group O donors to come forward as soon as possible and to donate at their nearest stations. Group O blood is most affected as there are only 1.5 days in stock. This is most in demand as it is the general blood and can be given to patients of any other blood group in emergencies,” she explained.
Mouton said that they currently have up to eight clinics running in the Cape Town area every day and that all regular donors should make their way to the stations. She added that those who are interested in donating blood can speak to nurses before going ahead and that in order to donate; it is important for them to abide to the criteria.
“Donors have to be between the ages of 16 and 65 years old. The criterion is quite easy and I would encourage you to speak to a nurse to find out more on how this works. No matter if you are an old or new donor, each time you come in to donate blood, you will be taken through a general health test to assure that your blood is 100% pure and healthy,” she said.
“We are urging you to please come forward and donate towards this good cause as it will really contribute towards many patients in hospital and will be greatly appreciated.” SANBS has various clinic stations in and around Western Cape. If you would like to know more about the stations or how you can contribute towards the South African National Blood Service, you can contact Marlize Mouton on 021 507 6300 or visit their webpage on www.sanbs.org.za. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)
“Unfortunately blood can not be artificially manufactured and only the real thing will do, so this is why we rely on our voluntary donors for regular blood donations and by regular we mean four times a year or every 66days,” she said. “With every blood donation we can save up to three peoples lives and with the daily target of a five days blood stocks which is only possible with 3000 units collected per day, we have not achieved this since the start of the winter.”
Each year during the winter season they are left with a low amount of donors and this places huge burdens on SANBS. “During this period we struggle the most to get in blood donors especially during winter, because of the cold weather, flu’s, school holidays, and of cause with the Ramadan coming up as well. The blood that is being donated is beneficial and contributes in treatment towards many lives and if no one is contributing then we are definitely sitting with a huge problem. Therefore we are urging the community to come out and donate,” she appealed.
Shortage
The shortage of blood donors has resulted in various specialists having their patients wait for blood transfusions as well as the SANBS being unable to meet demand. This may result in them requesting hospitals to hold back on planned surgeries. The Western Cape currently has a three day blood stock, but is looking at an ideal of a five day blood stock.“With this we are therefore requesting the Group O donors to come forward as soon as possible and to donate at their nearest stations. Group O blood is most affected as there are only 1.5 days in stock. This is most in demand as it is the general blood and can be given to patients of any other blood group in emergencies,” she explained.
Mouton said that they currently have up to eight clinics running in the Cape Town area every day and that all regular donors should make their way to the stations. She added that those who are interested in donating blood can speak to nurses before going ahead and that in order to donate; it is important for them to abide to the criteria.
“Donors have to be between the ages of 16 and 65 years old. The criterion is quite easy and I would encourage you to speak to a nurse to find out more on how this works. No matter if you are an old or new donor, each time you come in to donate blood, you will be taken through a general health test to assure that your blood is 100% pure and healthy,” she said.
“We are urging you to please come forward and donate towards this good cause as it will really contribute towards many patients in hospital and will be greatly appreciated.” SANBS has various clinic stations in and around Western Cape. If you would like to know more about the stations or how you can contribute towards the South African National Blood Service, you can contact Marlize Mouton on 021 507 6300 or visit their webpage on www.sanbs.org.za. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)
No comments:
Post a Comment