Namibian Blood Transfusion Service Urges Urgent Blood Donations Ahead of Festive Season

The Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia (NAMBTS) is making an urgent plea to all eligible blood donors in Namibia to commit to regular blood donations, as the nation faces a critical shortage in blood reserves just days before the festive season. In response to this crisis, NAMBTS has organized an emergency blood donation clinic scheduled for this Saturday, December 2, 2023, at the Grove Mall in Windhoek, located in front of Game.

Despite strenuous efforts to replenish blood stocks in the past two weeks, the reserves have dwindled to a precarious level of only a 5-day blood supply. Particularly affected are the O-positive and O-negative blood types. This shortage implies that blood banks and hospitals across the country only have enough blood to last for the next 5 days unless substantial donations are made promptly.

NAMBTS revealed that the organization requires a daily influx of over 170 blood donations to meet the escalating demand in hospitals. Over the last two months, there has been a noticeable surge in blood transfusions, leading to the current critical shortage. The demand for blood products encompasses various medical situations, extending beyond trauma and emergency cases. Patients undergoing surgery, those with chronic illnesses, burn victims, cancer patients, premature infants, and individuals with renal, cardiac, liver, and blood conditions all rely on blood products, particularly during the months of December and January.

Titus Shivute, the spokesperson for NAMBTS, emphasized the gravity of the situation,”The country only has a 5-day blood supply, categorized as significantly low. The ideal blood stock level is a 9-12 day supply, which would ensure that all patients in need of blood and blood products can receive potentially life-saving transfusions. This is an urgent appeal to all donors with O-positive and O-negative blood types to please donate, especially as trauma incidents tend to increase during the festive season, coupled with a significant drop in blood donations nationwide.” he said.

Those willing and able to contribute are encouraged to donate at any of the fixed-site centers in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Ondangwa, or Oshakati. NAMBTS welcomes both regular and new blood donors between the ages of 16 to 65.

As a reminder, basic donor criteria include being between the ages of 16 and 65, weighing more than 50kg, maintaining good health, leading a safe lifestyle, and having a commitment to helping others.

For those planning to donate blood, NAMBTS offers the following tips:

• Eat a substantial meal 3-4 hours before donating blood.
• Stay well-hydrated by drinking lots of water and/or juice before, during, and after donation.
• Take it easy on exercise after donation.

The success of this urgent appeal rests on the generosity and commitment of the Namibian community to come together and ensure an adequate blood supply for those in need during the upcoming festive season.