KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC S’bongiseni Dhlomo has urged the public to donate blood as the festive period draws to a close.
Dhlomo says blood is needed at this time of year for people who have been involved in road crashes, births and cancer patients who need a lot of blood. He has donated blood at the Mega City Mall in Umlazi, south of Durban.
The South African National Blood Services currently has blood stock for three days.
Dhlomo says donating a pint of blood could safe somebody’s life.
“It’s still the festive season where there is a lot of people out there, visitors and tourists. We noticed that on Tuesday there were lots of other tourists who were leaving KZN, but there are still many more who are here and unfortunately, when there are (lots) of tourists and people on the roads, drivers do encounter accidents … then it means the number will increase.”
Meanwhile, the SANBS’s Phindile Cele says they need blood stocks for at least five days.
“We need to have at least the blood which can only last us for more than five days. That’s when we can say at least we have got enough.”
