Reuters AlertNet Lite - S.Africa faces blood crisis ahead of holidays

Reuters AlertNet Full site

NEWSDESK

S.Africa faces blood crisis ahead of holidays

09 Dec 2006 10:41:36 GMT
Source: Reuters

JOHANNESBURG, Dec 9 (Reuters) - South Africa is running out of blood and could face a disastrous holiday period, when traffic accidents soar, should stocks levels not increase, the National Blood Service said on Saturday.

"We are in a crisis. We are in for a tough December and January," blood service spokeswoman Nicolette Duda told Reuters.

Hospital blood stocks have dropped to about one day's supply in KwaZulu-Natal province, a popular tourist region, and are down to three days in the inland region, which includes Johannesburg and capital city Pretoria.

Stocks for at least seven days supply are usually held.

Non-emergency operations would be put on hold to ensure enough blood was available for trauma cases, Duda said.

South Africa has one of highest crime rates in the world, much of that violent crime requiring hospital treatment and its roads are some of the most dangerous with more than 14,000 people dying in accidents in 2005.

AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article Send comments

Countries

Small country map
© 2004 Europa Technologies Ltd.

Reset map

• South Africa profile

· View Pretoria
· View Johannesburg

MORE >>

NGO latest

• World AIDS Day: International Federation doubles efforts to help vulnerable people through a new Global Alliance
IFRC - Switzerland

• The AIDS epidemic: walking the last mile to make the difference
IFRC - Switzerland

• People not getting the treatment they need to stay alive - newer AIDS drugs are unaffordable and unavailable
MSF International

• Alliance urges action to close the HIV services gap at International Development Committee session on global HIV epidemic
International HIV/AIDS Alliance - UK

• International Federation launches $300 million appeal to combat HIV and AIDS in southern Africa
IFRC - Switzerland

MORE >>

Latest news

• S.Africa faces blood crisis ahead of holidays

• Sudan dismisses Annan criticism, blames rebels

• SOUTHERN AFRICA: IRIN-SA Weekly Round-up 311 for 2 - 8 December 2006

• SOUTH AFRICA: Prevention for positives

• SOUTH AFRICA: Black gays the target of hate crimes

MORE >>

Last updated:Sat Dec 9 10:43:24 2006