BLOOD stocks have finally been boosted after being at a critical level.
According to South African National Blood Service (SANBS) spokeswoman Khensani Mahlangu, these great numbers were due to weeks and weeks of promotions to drive numbers, Easter blood drives, and extended working hours.
This means that blood stocks have now reached their minimum level to be distributed equally across the country to people who desperately need it.
While Mahlangu has commended the work and efforts to raise the stock levels, she said they still sit with a low number of blood donors to cater for their needs.
Some of the factors that play a role in low blood donation are different peak seasons.
For instance, when schools are open, the blood service can run blood drives at schools and universities.
But during the now approaching winter, they face new concerns because people prefer to stay home instead of going to a donor centre for blood donation.
She said another contributing factor to note was that they lost consistent donors following the Covid-19 outbreak, which saw many people falling sick, affecting the donor base.
Mahlangu said they face the challenge of refilling a new donor base, which is where the young people come in.
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Blood donor Elelwanai Mogale from Montana, Tshwane, who donated blood at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital before the Easter weekend, said her decision to do so was driven by the deep understanding of the impact donating has on saving lives.
Beyond the holiday rush, Elelwanai also understood the demand for blood at various hospitals.
“Most wards request blood every day, especially in the maternity corridors and for patients diagnosed with ammonia,” she said.
A resident who spoke to Daily Sun in Randburg, Joburg, said much is being said about the importance of donating blood.
Another resident, Boyce Milazi, said: "I've always been vocal about taking blood tests, but I've never really thought about donating myself. In fact, I've never donated... I think the biggest thing here is that nobody talks about blood donation. We don't have enough knowledge about it."
Boyce said with more awareness in local communities, there will be a better understanding of blood donations, and many people will heed the call to donate.
Meanwhile, Themba Zulu (57), who has been donating since 2013, said he stopped donating because their blood donation drives were no longer available in his neighbourhood.
He used to donate in Bromhof, Randburg.
Themba believes he will donate for another six years if blood drives come to his area again.
