Alarming shortage of blood
Demand for donors increases by 15 per cent over last year
The need for blood at Mater Dei Hospital has increased by 15 per cent over last year, leading to chronic shortages such as the one being experienced by the blood bank.
The growing demand probably came from an increase in surgical interventions, higher patient turnover and more aggressive treatment of malignancies and leukaemia, according to Stefan Laspina, the consultant responsible for Mater Dei’s blood bank.
His comments comes as the health authorities issued a fresh call for blood donors, pointing out that the level of reserves was at an “alarming” low.
The transfusion unit decided to reach out to the public through a wave of 3,000 text messages to regular donors and 40,000 e-mails to a general database of civil servants.
Earlier this month, the Health Ministry reported an increase of 2,000 surgeries carried out in 2011 when compared to 2010.
Dr Laspina said this included an increase in orthopaedic surgeries on hips and knees, which most of the time required at least one bag (about 475ml) of blood.
Additionally, the larger patient turnover as a result of a more efficient use of beds and the fact that the age-bracket of treatment for malignancies and leukaemia had widened also contributed to a higher request for blood, Dr Laspina explained.
In fact, even though nearly 250 more blood bags were collected in January when compared to January 2011, the demand was higher than the supply. Unfortunately, this winter’s unprecedented heavy spell of flu meant not all of those who were willing to donate blood were able to do so.
Blood donors can call at the unit in Guardamangia every day between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., including public holidays, or at the Gozo General Hospital from Monday to Saturday between 8.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. Parking spaces for donors are available just outside the bank.
Donors, aged between 18 and 63, have to be in possession of their identity card while 17-year-olds can download a permission form from www.blood.gov.mt, which would have to be signed by the parents or guardians. They can alternatively present a signed informal letter of permission.