Urgent appeal for blood donations

The National Blood Transfusion Service said its blood reserves were low and needed to be restocked, ideally today

Blood reserves are running dangerously low, said the National Blood Transfusion Service
Blood reserves are running dangerously low, said the National Blood Transfusion Service

The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) has made an urgent appeal to the public for blood donations.

In a statement the NBTS said that its blood reserves had been depleated, for a number of reasons, and needed to be restocked, “ideally today”.

“The service notes that today, a large number of patients with choric illness, including cancer, are admitted to hospital for one day only to receive a substantial amount of blood, before starting a new chemotherapy cycle,” the NBTS said.

It also noted that tomorrow would see the start of “another intensive week of scheduled operations”.

“For this reason, it is important for blood reserves to be adequate, for the pace of operations to continue, and that once again patients benefit from the generosity of the Maltese people.” 

Most in need of the public’s generosity, the service said, were those patients currently awaiting a blood transfusion.

Members of the public can give blood today at the Centre for Blood Donation in Guardamangia until 6pm.

Those who live in the vicinity of Raħal Ġdid can give blood at the Mobile Blood Donation Unit, which will be in Pjazza Antoine De Paule, Ir-Raħal Ġdid until 1pm.

Those who intended to donate blood will need to have a driving license, ID card or passport with them.