The Malta Blood Donation Centre has thanked the public for responding to an urgent call to donate blood, but appealed for more regular donors to avoid such shortages in the future.
Staff nurse Tony Micallef said: “The response we had to the urgent call we put out was admirable. In fact, although we do not have any exact figures, we would say that 30 per cent of those who turned up to give blood were first timers.”
Mr Micallef said that the Maltese public always responds to calls for blood, but pointed out that if there were only just a few more regular donors, shortages such as the one experienced after Christmas can be avoided. “We would appreciate a more sustained drive,” he said.
Mr Micallef said that on average, the centre needed 45 donors per day. “During the drive, we had double this amount, 90 per day. That brought stocks up to what we needed at the start of the New Year,” he said.
He explained that if the Centre has a shortfall of five donors per day, it has a cumulative effect in that it would mean 35 bags of blood less per week. He said that this meant that after six weeks, levels would be low and this would necessitate an urgent call for blood.
Mr Micallef said that the shortfall was down to a few serious accidents that occurred over the past weeks. “Also, not many operations were being carried out over the holiday period. Now, surgery is back in full swing, so the demand for blood is higher,” he said.
Asked to explain how much blood is needed per recipient, Mr Micallef explained: “In the worst case, for example liver damage, the person would need some 20 to 25 bags of blood, so that should put the matter into context,” he said. Another factor which contributed to the shortage of blood, according Mr Micallef, was the fact that people become somewhat passive during the Christmas period.
“What we need are more regular donors. We need all types of blood, and we feel that we really must thank the public for their contribution,” he said.
He pointed out that people between the ages of 17 to 65 can donate blood. Aged 17, donors must have the consent of a parent or a guardian, while people aged over 60, but less than 65, can give blood only if they have done so prior to their 60th birthday. Mr Micallef said that the Blood Donation Centre is still at St Luke’s Hospital, it has not moved to Mater Dei Hospital. It is open seven days a week from 8am till 6pm.