Blood needed urgently

  • 6 Months Ago - 2023-11-09 11:01:00
The Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia (NAMBTS) is currently experiencing a critical shortage of blood and thus the service plans to host two blood donation clinics in Windhoek and Ongwediva this Saturday (11 November 2023) to help boost blood reserves for hospitals around the country.
NAMBTS has observed significant increases in blood transfusions for patients since the beginning of September. Coupled with low intake at various blood donation drives over the preceding two months, reserves have dropped to four days’ bloodstock, 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 that will last for the next 4 days if no significant blood collections are made. This is a critical situation and thus NAMBTS appeal to all donors especially those with O-type blood to donate immediately to help ensure that lives are saved this festive season.
Low donation ratio
With only 1% of the Namibian population donating blood annually, the NAMBTS needs more of the population of all blood types to donate blood to help save the lives of patients in hospitals and medical centres around the country.
Donors should be between the ages of 16 and 65, weigh more than 50kg, be medically healthy, lead a safe lifestyle, and be committed to helping others.
When donating, remember to eat a substantial meal 3-4 hours earlier, drink lots of water and/or juice before, and take it easy on the exercise thereafter.
The clinics take place at the NAMBTS headquarters (35 Tal Street) from 08:00 to 14:00, and at Maroela Mall in Ongwediva from 09:00 to 15:00 on Saturday. Transport is available for both blood donation sessions. To make arrangements in Windhoek contact Salmi at 081 122 1265 and for Ongwediva contact Adolf on 081 162 0834.