Pretoria - While there's lot of gift exchanging in celebrating the festive season, South Africans are being reminded to give the gift of blood and save lives during this period.
To support the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) in its efforts to collect blood, the Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development will on Wednesday and Thursday transport staff members to malls, where blood donation will take place.
SANBS will be at Alberton Mall on Wednesday and Southgate Mall on Thursday between 8am and 5pm both days.
"This blood is vitally needed by hospitals, especially during the holidays as the number of people in need of surgery or blood transfusion increases due to road accidents, amongst other reasons," said Health and Social Development MEC, Ntombi Mekgwe.
According to SANBS, South Africa needs 3 000 units of blood a day in order to meet the demands of cancer and leukaemia treatment, childbirth and gynaecological cases, surgery, research, paediatric and orthopaedic cases, malaria, blood diseases and casualties.
Blood is also needed for many car crash victims and every unit of blood which is donated by a member of the public can save up to three lives.
SANBS Chief Operational Officer, Ravi Reddy, said SANBS is facing increasing pressure on the supply of group O blood stored in emergency blood fridges at hospitals.
"We are endeavoring to manage this situation in an equitable manner by sharing the limited stocks across the country," Reddy said, adding that SANBS needs to maintain five days stock of blood to ensure uninterrupted supply to hospitals.
The current stock level is at 2.1 days.
For more information on how to donate, contact the SANBS toll free on 0800 11 9031.
