By Alvine Kapitako
WINDHOEK – The Blood Transfusion Services of Namibia (NamBTS) says it is still experiencing a shortage of blood in the country.
Zita Tobin, the Donor Relations Supervisor of NamBTS, has said there is only a three-day blood supply available countrywide.
The festive season took its toll on end of the year blood supplies. “Unfortunately, this happens every year even though every effort was made to prevent this from happening at the end of 2014,” said Tobin.
She explained that the NamBTS in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Services as well as the World Health Organisation last year at the start of the festive season launched the “donate before you go” campaign to encourage Namibians to at least donate 5 200 units of blood before Christmas to ensure a sustainable blood supply for the festive season.
“By Christmas, the target was 1 100 units short of the 5 200 mark, which most likely led to the current shortage,” said Tobin. She explained further that blood shortages are often not caused by an increased demand for blood but rather due to below target blood collections.
“This usually happens during extended holiday periods when (blood) donors are not readily available to give blood,” added Tobin. She said blood is used for trauma and emergency patients in need of blood after an accident.
“Mothers facing complications during pregnancy and birth, premature infants, burn victims, cancer patients, those awaiting organ transplant, surgery patients and others with blood conditions all require blood products throughout the year, including holiday periods,” said Tobin.
People willing to donate blood should be older than 16 years, weigh more than 50kg, lead a sexually safe lifestyle and enjoy general good health,” Tobin said, calling on people to donate blood.