NAMBTS needs you!
The Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia (NAMBTS) urges all eligible blood donors in Namibia to commit to donating blood regularly to help ensure that the lives of thousands of patients are saved.In light of the acute blood shortage NAMBTS is experiencing, the service hosts an emergency blood drive in Windhoek at the Grove Mall in front of Game on Saturday to help rebuild blood reserves for hospitals around the country.
Despite all efforts to recuperate a blood shortage over the past two weeks, the blood reserves have dropped to five days’ worth of blood, with O-positive and O-negative blood types being the most affected. This means that blood banks and hospitals in the country only have sufficient blood for the next 5 days if no substantial blood collections are made.
Aiming for 170 per day
NAMBTS requires over 170 blood donations every day to meet the demand for blood in hospitals and they have observed significant increases in blood transfusions to patients over the past two months, which led to the current critical blood shortage.
Blood products are used in many medical cases, not just for trauma and emergency patients, but also for mothers experiencing complications during pregnancy and birth, premature infants, burn victims, cancer patients, patients with chronic illnesses, surgery patients and others with renal, cardiac, liver and blood conditions.
“The country only has five days’ blood supply, which is categorised as significantly low. The ideal blood stock level is a 9 to 12-day supply which helps ensure that all patients who need blood and blood products can receive potentially life-saving transfusions,” NAMBTS spokesperson, Titus Shivute, said.
“This is an urgent appeal to all donors with the blood types O-positive and O-negative to please donate blood as we often experience increases in trauma incidents over the festive season and a significant drop in blood donations around the country.”
If you are well and able to spare thirty minutes of your time, regular and new blood donors between the ages of 16 and 65 years old can donate at any of the fixed site centres in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Ondangwa, or Oshakati.
Donor criteria
- You should be between the ages of 16 – 65.
- Weigh more than 50 kg.
- Be medically healthy.
- Lead a safe lifestyle.
- Be committed to helping others.
Tips when donating blood
- Eat a substantial meal 3-4 hours before donating blood.
- Drink lots of water and/or juice before, during and after donation.
- Take it easy on the exercise after donation.