SA facing blood shortage – report

South Africa’s is facing a shortage of blood stocks as the national level dips to only a two-day supply.

Due to the low supply, blood will only be given in “absolute core emergencies” such as accidents, SA National Blood Service spokeswoman Vanessa Raju said, the Saturday Star reported today.

Some planned surgeries and treatments requiring blood will be put off until stocks are restored.

“It is not a good situation to be in but we have to make do … until the situation changes,” she said.

Raju said national blood stocks should be at a five-day supply but donations have fallen off due to the holiday.

“People are on holiday and now some will be busy with getting their children ready for the new school year, so blood donation is not high on the list of things to do, resulting in low levels,” Raju told the paper.

– Sapa