Severe blood shortage hits NamBTS
Public holidays hamper donations
Less than 1% of Namibians donate blood annually despite 200 blood donations needed daily to meet the demand.
Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia (NamBTS) spokesperson Titus Shivute this week said that there is still a significant shortage of blood in the country.
According to him, only 17 000 blood donations have been made during the first quarter of the year, the majority of which came from educational institutions and town clinics.
"Less than 1% of the Namibian population donates blood annually, with close to 200 blood donations needed daily to meet the demand for hospitals and medical centres around the country," he said.
On average, NamBTS needs a nine-day blood supply, but is currently operating on a three-day supply - 66% less than what they need.
"Cancer and leukemia patients; mothers who bleed excessively during childbirth; those who suffer from anaemia and many other patients need the help of regular and first-time donors," Shivute said.
Information
According to its spokesperson, NamBTS has had numerous campaigns and extensively strategised as well as adjusted its operational model to help grow collections of blood around the country.
He mentioned a ‘Back-to-School’ campaign during the first term of the school calendar year. aimed at reviving donations at educational institutions.
The service has also been giving out gifts to four-time 2022 donors as a token of appreciation.
Shivute attributes the low collections to public holidays in May, providing fewer days for collection.
"We have been experiencing an increase in demand for blood and blood products from hospitals around the country and we are therefore appealing to all eligible blood donors to assist in helping save lives by donating blood to help rebuild the reserves for patients.”
According to him, only 17 000 blood donations have been made during the first quarter of the year, the majority of which came from educational institutions and town clinics.
"Less than 1% of the Namibian population donates blood annually, with close to 200 blood donations needed daily to meet the demand for hospitals and medical centres around the country," he said.
On average, NamBTS needs a nine-day blood supply, but is currently operating on a three-day supply - 66% less than what they need.
"Cancer and leukemia patients; mothers who bleed excessively during childbirth; those who suffer from anaemia and many other patients need the help of regular and first-time donors," Shivute said.
Information
According to its spokesperson, NamBTS has had numerous campaigns and extensively strategised as well as adjusted its operational model to help grow collections of blood around the country.
He mentioned a ‘Back-to-School’ campaign during the first term of the school calendar year. aimed at reviving donations at educational institutions.
The service has also been giving out gifts to four-time 2022 donors as a token of appreciation.
Shivute attributes the low collections to public holidays in May, providing fewer days for collection.
"We have been experiencing an increase in demand for blood and blood products from hospitals around the country and we are therefore appealing to all eligible blood donors to assist in helping save lives by donating blood to help rebuild the reserves for patients.”
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Namibian Sun
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