Appeal for blood

An appeal for blood is being made to prevent having to postpone several operations planned for this week.

Nursing officer Angelo Degiorgio said that a good number of special orthopedic operations were being performed by foreign doctors coming especially for the purpose this week.

A good amount of blood in reserve was required for the purpose. The demand for blood was continuous and the hospital was hardly coping despite continuous radio calls, large numbers of SMSs, and telephone calls, Mr Degiorgio said.

Unless there was enough blood in reserve these special operations, and possibly others, might be postponed.

Healthy persons aged between 18 and 60 years are asked to call at the National Blood Transfusion Service near St Luke's Hospital.

The Blood Transfusion Department is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Persons aged 17 may also donate blood with their parents' consent.

Blood may also be donated at the Blood Donation Mobile Unit in the Gozo General Hospital or at the blood bank of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta near St Philip Hospital.

People who cannot donate blood were being asked to encourage others. Donors must have their identity card when going to the blood bank.