Blood reserves have reached critical levels, health authorities warn, with a real risk of doctors being forced to postpone surgeries but also transfusions to patients whose life depends on it, such as thalassaemics, in top priority. The Blood Centre has already informed thalassaemics that it might be forced to cancel their transfusion appointments in the coming week due to lack of blood.
The Centre is launching a dramatic appeal for blood donation before people leave for their August holidays, as conditions are dramatic, with the head the Thalassaemia Association calling on people to consider that for some, transfusion is the only way to survive.
‘August is perhaps the toughest month for people with thalassaemia. In the summer, our blood needs increase, but many people are on holiday and not around to give blood, as supply runs low. For one of us, a transfusion is the only form of treatment we can have and we absolutely depend on donors’, Miltos Miltiadous added.
Οver the next week, there is a real possibility of shortages in the red blood cells available for thalassaemics, who also note that the less blood there is, the more transfusions they need, which causes additional discomfort to the patients. Thalassaemics and other patient groups who frequently need transfusions, are calling for solutions so blood sufficiency is raised during this difficult period.
Blood Centre head sister Androula Panayiotou launched a dramatic appeal to donors, saying that 300 blood units are needed daily to keep the necessary emergency stock at full capacity, adding that it’s a daily struggle, as surgeries are on-going and haemorrhage incidents are increasing.
Blood donations have been set up at The Mall of Nicosia next week, with centres across all cities open from 0730 in the morning to 8 in the evening.
‘Let’s show our solidarity and love during this tough time’, Panayiotou noted in her appeal.
