South African National Blood Services COO Ravi Reddy said the demand for blood during the festive season was relatively low because most hospital beds were allocated to Covid-19 patients
THE SOUTH African National Blood Services (SANBS) said that while its blood stocks were currently stable, it still encouraged people to donate.
The SANBS said its stocks picked up after it had reported a shortage ahead of the festive season last year.
Chief Operations Officer at SANBS, Ravi Reddy, said blood stocks are at 4.2 days, which is acceptable, but it aimed for a five-day capacity.
He said the demand for blood during the festive season was relatively low because most hospital beds were allocated to Covid-19 patients.
Reddy said the alcohol ban announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on December 28 also led to fewer trauma cases in hospitals and low demand for blood.
SANBS communications officer Khensani Mahlangu said: “I think the public has been good at hearing our pleas (for donations) and responding. So, at the moment, we are still calling for blood group O donors, especially, to come through and donate blood.”
