The country's blood supply may dry up in the space of a week if people do not come forward and donate this precious liquid.

Blood Donation Services manager Angelo Degiorgio said they had received a good response to a public appeal for type O positive and negative last week, but it was not enough.

"I still urge the public to continue donating all types of blood because if they don't, we may not have any left in a week. One emergency can practically use up all the supply. One casualty alone might take up to 40 bags of blood," he said.

He appealed to anyone aged 18 to 63 years to visit St Luke's Hospital to donate blood. Men can only donate blood in three-month intervals, while women can do so every four months.

It is important to present your identification card before donating.