Power outages threaten blood supply

THE Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia says recent power outages could result in blood shortages.

BTS spokesperson Liesel Schwerdtfeger said because of power cuts the already limited blood supply has become unpredictable. “Blood is highly perishable and must be collected, stored and transported at optimal quality conditions.There is a risk of losing some products if these power outages persist,” Schwerdtfeger said yesterday.She said it was vital that the blood donors respond to their appeal especially those in the O-group.We are now aiming to increase minimum stocks for all blood groups to cover for any losses due to the unreliable power situation,” she said.She said the BTS was out to ensure sufficient blood stock despite the added challenge of power outages.Schwerdtfeger said shortage of Blood group O was becoming a critical issue.”Hospitals have been ordering in excess of last year’s data and beyond what was expected this week.We track demand very carefully and ensure that minimum stock based on expected demand is available,” she said.She said orders which they normally expect to spread over three weeks came in within one week with the schools closing early and hospitals countrywide ordering emergency stocks to be ready for accidents.December 5: Rehoboth St Mary’s R/C Hospital (from 14h00), December 6: Lubbe’s Auto Centre in Windhoek (from 10h00), Police Head Quarters (from 09h00), December 7: PriceWaterhouseCoopers in Windhoek (from 09h00) and Cashbuild Windhoek (from 09h00).Coastal Clinics December 6 at Cottage Medi-Clinic (from 14h00) and every day at United House and HIDAS Centre from 09h00.”Blood is highly perishable and must be collected, stored and transported at optimal quality conditions.There is a risk of losing some products if these power outages persist,” Schwerdtfeger said yesterday.She said it was vital that the blood donors respond to their appeal especially those in the O-group.We are now aiming to increase minimum stocks for all blood groups to cover for any losses due to the unreliable power situation,” she said.She said the BTS was out to ensure sufficient blood stock despite the added challenge of power outages.Schwerdtfeger said shortage of Blood group O was becoming a critical issue.”Hospitals have been ordering in excess of last year’s data and beyond what was expected this week.We track demand very carefully and ensure that minimum stock based on expected demand is available,” she said.She said orders which they normally expect to spread over three weeks came in within one week with the schools closing early and hospitals countrywide ordering emergency stocks to be ready for accidents.December 5: Rehoboth St Mary’s R/C Hospital (from 14h00), December 6: Lubbe’s Auto Centre in Windhoek (from 10h00), Police Head Quarters (from 09h00), December 7: PriceWaterhouseCoopers in Windhoek (from 09h00) and Cashbuild Windhoek (from 09h00).Coastal Clinics December 6 at Cottage Medi-Clinic (from 14h00) and every day at United House and HIDAS Centre from 09h00.