NamBTS pleads for blood ahead of festive season

NamBTS pleads for blood ahead of festive season

The holiday season poses two problems for the Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia (NamBTS), one being fewer blood donors available to donate, as they go on holidays and travel, shop, and prepare for the upcoming festivities.

The other challenge is that blood demand increases with motor vehicle accidents on the roads as people travel to and from their destinations.

“Additionally, cancer patients continue with their treatment during the holidays and babies continue to be born, with some babies and mothers requiring a life saving transfusion,” stated NamBTS.

“Simply put, we need 200 units of whole blood per day to see us through December and January 2025,” said Zita Tobin, the marketing and donor relations manager at NamBTS.

Tobin added: “Donors are encouraged to visit one of our offices in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Oshakati, or Ondangwa or a mobile clinic in either Otjiwarongo, Outjo or Gobabis and donate blood leading up to Christmas.”

Current blood stock levels are the lowest since 2020, with only a mere five-day blood stock. This will drop drastically over the next few weeks, creating a severe and worrying blood shortage.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reiterated the importance and need for citizens to donate blood and aid institutions like NamBTS to continue doing their work of saving lives.

“Blood is needed by women with complications during pregnancy and childbirth, children with severe anaemia, often resulting from malaria or malnutrition, accident victims, and surgical and cancer patients,” said the organisation.

WHO adds that while the need for blood is universal, access to blood is not and blood shortages are acute in low- and middle-income countries like Namibia.

“Regular blood donation by a sufficient number of healthy people is needed, to ensure that blood will always be available whenever and wherever it is needed,” read a statement by WHO.

-psiririka@nep.com.na