THE South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has welcomed the necessary measures announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa to save lives and slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
This should not discourage members of the public from donating lifesaving blood. As an essential service within South Africa, the SANBS therefore appeals to donors from all blood groups to continue donating blood to prevent blood stocks running critically low and placing the lives of our fellow South Africans at risk.
All of the donor centres will remain open with extended operating hours to accommodate social distancing measures.
The 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.
The SANBS has taken precautionary measures to ensure that the people who utilise their facilities are protected. Donors are assessed at all entry points to the facilities and mobile sites. All sites have also been equipped with additional antiseptic sprays and alcohol-based wipes.
“Our trained healthcare practitioners operating in the field have been equipped with the necessary information to identify symptoms that may indicate Covid-19 infection.
“Should a donor not be feeling well, or exhibit any flu-like symptoms or signs of infection, they will not be permitted access to our facilities,” said Dr Jackie Thomson, SANBS medical director.
While travel to the various donor centres will be considered essential travel, regular donor deferral periods will still apply.
Additionally, as precautionary measures and to ensure the safety of blood and blood products during this time, Thompson said that the following deferrals remained 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, the SANBS encourages donors to delay donation if they are exhibiting any flu-like symptoms or signs of infection until they are in good health.
