SOUTH Africa is once again experiencing a severe blood shortage, particularly the O blood type.

Type O blood can be used in an emergency for transfusions as it is compatible with all other blood types, says the South African National Blood Services (SANBS).

SANBS spokeswoman Vanessa Raju says the current blood stock level is enough for two days (or what is available is only 6000 units, at the most), and it is predicted to fall further if collections remain as meagre as has been reported over the past few months.

She says since the start of the winter holidays, the SANBS had been unable keep up with its daily target of five days's supply or blood stocks totalling up to 15,000 units.

"Normally, we are assisted by university students who always donate blood," Raju says. "Since the schools are on recess, we have been struggling to keep up and the shortage has resulted in many specialists having patients on the waiting list for blood transfusions and we have been unable to meet this demand."

Raju says there is no specific reason why people are reluctant to donate blood.

"However, we have noticed that people take the issue seriously after a family member or themselves needed blood. There are certain individuals who are hesitant to donate because they do not want to know about their HIV/Aids status. We are not a testing centre, but we won't use infected blood." - bambalelep@sowetan.co.za