Luanda - Blood stocks in health units in Angola are running low, putting many people's lives at risk, the director general of the National Blood Institute (INS) Deodete Machado told ANGOP Tuesday in Luanda.
According to the INS director, the country only has enough blood for one week, hence the urgent need to replenish it, underlining that there is a high number of patients hospitalized with infectious diseases, malnutrition, malaria and road accidents, which is why there has been an increase in the consumption of this liquid.
The health official explained that malaria and all these diseases bring with them various complications, causing anemia, which contributes to the need for blood transfusions.
Children, Machado said, are the biggest victims and pediatric hospitals are currently in need of special attention throughout the country.
"This issue of stock replenishment has been a major concern, not only for our management, but for all the health centers, since when patients come to the health centers they need to find blood and its components," Machado said.
The official defended the need to maximize the solidarity movement of voluntary blood donors, having called for the need to continue to promote and raise awareness so that people feel motivated to donate blood that saves lives.
Deodete Machado emphasized that it is mostly family members who donate the liquid, contrary to what the World Health Organization recommends. The country has 83 per cent of family donors and only 13 percent are volunteers.
Investment improves INS operation
According to the director, since 2019 the INS has received funding worth 19 million dollars, which has enabled it to equip its services.
As a result, the institute has significantly improved the quality of its work and now has important supplies for safe blood in the health units.
The official said the investment is making it possible to continue training technicians, with a greater degree of commitment to continue to guarantee safe blood.
Blood sales at hospital doors
Deodete Machado regretted the fact that the sale of blood on hospital doorsteps continues to be an ongoing practice, adding that donors need to realize that blood is not for sale and that it is a precious liquid that saves lives. EVC/ART/TED/AMP
