About half of this total - 160 units - was collected at the Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Henties Bay town clinics.

On Tuesday, 153 units of blood were collected following a severe shortage of blood types O and B.

So far, clinics in Windhoek and in the coastal towns have shown exceptionally good returns.

Thirty-two units of blood were collected at the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday, even though many staff members were already on leave.

Blood donation has shown a marked improved in Walvis Bay this year.

In 2005, only 42 units were collected, compared to the 90 units that have been collected so far this year.

The Blood Transfusion Services of Namibia offer their sincere thanks to all members of the public who have come forward to donate blood and challenge those who have not, to come forward and donate blood in order to collect sufficient blood stores to supply hospitals around the country for the entire festive season.

Local News Headlines Of The Last 48 Hours

•  City Council takes back B1 City plot
•  Jacobs corruption probe not yet finished
•  Roessing pushing for 2030
•  Lawyer issue delays cop's trial
•  N$400m waterfront project to start soon
•  De-mining in Angola speeds up
•  Community service a viable alternative to prison: Minister
•  Gazza, The Dogg to share stage
•  Parastatal confirms financial squeeze
•  No action against cops in elephant case
•  SA police seize truck, impound cigarettes from Nam
•  SA heavyweights on bench for Teek appeal
•  Govt newspaper tender re-advertised
•  Damara chiefs to discuss differences
•  Murdered woman found at Rehoboth
•  Warden in court over fuel
•  Swakop is IT, says television producer
•  New conservancy launched in Caprivi
•  Rape, murder, robbery mark long weekend
•  Enviro magazine on way
•  By-election date announced
•  Insurers 'bleeding the common man'
•  TransNamib in dire straits