Blood urgently needed

THE Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia has launched an urgent appeal for people to donate blood, especially those with blood group O.

Blood group O is the most common blood group and can be used by people with other blood types as well. This makes it especially useful in case of an emergency.Blood supplies in the country are currently running low.”Blood is being used up”, said Ronnie Garosab of the Blood Transfusion Service.Asked why he thought this was the case, Garosab said that the high number of car accidents over the festive season and the closing of the schools had played a major part.”Some of our best donors come from the schools,” he said.The service asks anyone who is between 16 and 65 years old, weighs over 50 kg and has a sexually responsible lifestyle to come forward and donate blood.People in Windhoek can donate blood at the Hidas Clinic or at the United Centre opposite the main post office.Walvis Bay residents can donate at the Walvis Bay High School gym and residents of Swakopmund at Erongo Agencies in Copper Street.This makes it especially useful in case of an emergency.Blood supplies in the country are currently running low.”Blood is being used up”, said Ronnie Garosab of the Blood Transfusion Service.Asked why he thought this was the case, Garosab said that the high number of car accidents over the festive season and the closing of the schools had played a major part.”Some of our best donors come from the schools,” he said.The service asks anyone who is between 16 and 65 years old, weighs over 50 kg and has a sexually responsible lifestyle to come forward and donate blood.People in Windhoek can donate blood at the Hidas Clinic or at the United Centre opposite the main post office.Walvis Bay residents can donate at the Walvis Bay High School gym and residents of Swakopmund at Erongo Agencies in Copper Street.