SANBS appeals for blood donations as stocks reach critical levels

JOHANNESBURG - The SA National Blood Service is appealing to South Africans to donate blood.

It says blood stocks have reached critical levels with just under three days of supply left.

The organisation's Thandi Mosupye says just 1 percent of the population are registered donors.

READ: South Africans urged to donate blood

''The situation did change a bit in March, but now our blood stocks levels are low.

"We're currently on 2.2 days' cover, which is quite low for a minimum," she said.

"We've really seen challenges in terms of collection, the weather not helping, it discourages donors to come out.

"Also with the fact that it's exam times, a lot of collections are schools."