Blood reserves are at marginal levels nationwide in Cyprus, with the Head of the Blood Bank, Dr Androulla Panayiotou, issuing a fresh appeal for the public to attend donation centres ahead of the difficult period around Dekapentavgoustos.
“We are at marginal levels at the moment,” Dr Panayiotou said, noting that the current and coming week, as well as the days after Dekapentavgoustos, are expected to be particularly difficult. “We need to make a fresh appeal to the public, so that people come to the donation centres, give blood and help their fellow citizens. Even 15 to 20 minutes of their time will help us,” she added.
Dr Panayiotou explained that around 350 units of blood are needed daily to meet demand nationwide. She said the Blood Bank managed to collect satisfactory quantities over the weekend, but that projections for the coming days are a cause for concern.
“We need 350 units a day. If we start collecting around 190 to 200, as the currently scheduled donations suggest, then we will face a serious problem,” she warned.
She noted that reserves in recent days had also been maintained thanks to organised donation drives held within the army. However, these have now been completed, while organised donations at workplaces, universities and other organisations are significantly reduced during the summer holiday period. “Organised groups aren’t arranging donation drives at the moment, because they know a lot of people are away and several workplaces are closed. So we don’t have the organised donations that usually help us reach 350 units a day,” she said.
The Head of the Blood Bank again called on citizens, whether on holiday or preparing to leave, to donate blood. “There are donation centres open nationwide. It would help if people came in and gave 15 minutes of their time to help save lives,” she said.
Donation centre hours, August 10–16
- Nicosia – Engomi Health Centre: Monday–Friday, 07:30–20:00; Saturday closed. Tel: 22809098
- Nicosia – Geri Health Centre: Monday–Friday, 07:30–20:00; Saturday closed. Tel: 22309221
- Limassol – Old Hospital: Monday–Friday, 07:30–20:00; Saturday closed. Tel: 25730277
- Larnaca – General Hospital, 3rd floor, new wing: August 10–12, 07:30–20:00; August 13–14, 07:30–15:00; Saturday closed. Tel: 24800402
- Paphos – Donation Centre, Royal Business Center: August 10–11, 07:30–20:00; August 12, 07:30–15:00; August 13, closed; August 14, 07:30–20:00; Saturday closed. Tel: 26306409
- Famagusta – Paralimni, 2 Sotiros Street: August 10, 11 and 13, 07:30–15:00; August 12, 07:30–20:00; Friday closed; Saturday closed. Tel: 99287584
Further information on donation centres and outreach blood drives is posted on the Blood Bank’s Facebook page.
(Information from Cyprus News Agency)
