THE South African National Blood Service (SANBS), as an essential service, appeals to donors from all blood groups to continue donating blood to prevent stocks running critically low and placing the lives of fellow South Africans at risk.
“All of our donor centres will remain open with extended operating hours to accommodate social distancing measures,” says SANBS PE East Branch Donor Relations Practitioner, Maryke Harris.
“Our extended operating hours will be between 08:00 to 19:00 on weekdays and 08:00 to 14:00 on weekends. Shopping mall donor centres remain accessible, and mobile drives will be set up at large grocery stores to accommodate more donors. Appointments can be made directly with your nearest donor centre to avoid queuing at the donor centre.”
The SANBS has taken precautionary mea-sures to ensure that the people who utilise the facilities are protected.
“We are assessing donors at all entry points to our facilities and mobile sites,” says Harris.
“We have also equipped all sites with additional antiseptic sprays and alcohol-based wipes.”
SANBS Medical Doctor, Dr Jackie Thomson, says, “Our trained healthcare practitioners operating in the field have been equipped with the necessary information to identify symptoms that may indicate COVID-19 infection, and should a donor not be feeling well, or exhibits any flu-like symptoms or signs of infection, they will not be permitted access to our facilities.”
While travel to their various donor centres will be considered essential travel, their regular donor deferral periods will still apply.
Additionally, as precautionary measures and to ensure the safety of blood and blood products during this time, the following deferrals remain in effect:
- people who have travelled to affected countries outside of South Africa will be deferred for 21 days,
- people with confirmed cases of Coronavirus infection will be deferred for 28 days from the date of complete clearance of symptoms, and
- people who have been in close contact with confirmed or probable Coronavirus cases will be deferred for 21 days from the last date of contact.
“Importantly, as is normal practice when donating blood, we encourage donors to delay donation if they are exhibiting any flu-like symptoms or signs of infection until they are in good health,” says Harris.
“We can all play our part to save a life by donating blood.”
