13 December 2007
About twenty civil servants from Bhisho donated blood in a last round by the
South African National Blood Services Drive (SANBS), which was stationed at
Bhisho on 12 December 2007.
The Health Department noticed that there was a shortage of blood in the
country and wanted to be proactive by bringing the SANBS Bus to Bhisho and
recruit people, particularly the civil servants to donate blood. The department
was targeting the Health Departmental employees as well as employees from other
departments were welcome to come and donate their blood.
According to Mrs Ngamntwini who is the Deputy Director, Laboratory Services,
next year they will be visiting the high schools like Bhisho High School and
target 18 year olds to donate their blood.
Mrs Ngamntwini also mentioned that "the department has identified 20
district facilities which are going to have emergency blood banks so that
surrounding hospitals and community health centres can be able to get blood
from them."
"We are now implementing the recommendation that blood transfusion must be
available at any institution where caesarean sections are performed," she
added.
Sister McQuirk who is from the South African National Blood Services
(SANBS), East London branch mentioned that their target per day was twenty
patients and that they have been reaching it. She also mentioned that the blood
donated would be taken to the blood bank where health institutions could get
it.
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
13 December 2007
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecdoh.gov.za)
