Blood bank appeals for O negative

Dangerously low levels of O negative blood are worrying the Blood Donation Centre.

Tony Micallef, a staff nurse at the centre, said there were only five bags of this blood type stored at Mater Dei Hospital.

This might not be enough for one patient and threatens to put non-emergency operations on hold until more blood is available.

While O negative blood can be given to everyone, those with this blood type - some five per cent of the population - can only be given O negative blood.

Mr Micallef explained that in emergencies, such as serious accidents, there was sometimes no time to cross-match the victim's blood type and O negative was given.

"If we have a gunshot wound and we need to give the victim blood urgently we give O negative because it is compatible with everyone," he said, adding that a mother needed 22 bags of blood last year after giving birth.

"We appeal to all those with this blood type to donate blood because it is urgently needed," he said.