The SA National Blood Service says it is short of blood as the festive season, when blood is most needed, sets in. The service said it was running short of group O blood, the universal type that could be safely transfused to patients of any blood type.
Its current stock levels were at two days, but the ideal stock levels would be seven days, although it would manage on four to five days. Schools closing and businesses winding down for the year limited the number of blood drives the service could hold, leaving it little opportunity to replenish its depleting stocks.
The service appealed to group O donors in particular to donate blood at their closest blood donor centre. It urged businesses or communities who were prepared to host a blood drive to contact them.
– SAPA
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