DistantNews
Support us
Serbia Faces Critical Blood Shortage, Urgently Appeals for Donations
๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ Serbia /Health & Science

Serbia Faces Critical Blood Shortage, Urgently Appeals for Donations

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Serbia's blood reserves are critically low due to high temperatures and summer holidays, with A and O blood types particularly scarce.
  • The Institute for Transfusion Medicine is urging healthy adults to donate blood to meet the needs of all patients requiring transfusions.
  • Current reserves are only sufficient for about a day and a half, with B positive blood being the only stable type, making the situation alarming.

Blood reserves in Serbia have reached a critical low, prompting an urgent appeal from the Institute for Transfusion Medicine. High temperatures and the ongoing summer holiday season have significantly impacted donation rates, leaving the country with dangerously low supplies, especially of A and O blood types.

A positive, O positive and all negative blood groups are at their absolute minimum.

โ€” Mirjana Kneลพeviฤ‡Mirjana Kneลพeviฤ‡ from the Institute for Transfusion Medicine described the critical shortage of specific blood types.

Mirjana Kneลพeviฤ‡ from the Institute highlighted the alarming scarcity, stating that A positive, O positive, and all negative blood groups are at their absolute minimum. She called on all healthy adults to visit the institute at Svetog Save 39 to donate blood, emphasizing that transfusions are the only life-saving treatment for many patients.

We are calling on all adult and healthy citizens to come to Svetog Save 39 and donate blood so that the needs of all healthcare institutions, that is, all patients for whom transfusion is the only medicine, can be met.

โ€” Mirjana Kneลพeviฤ‡Kneลพeviฤ‡ urged citizens to donate blood to ensure sufficient supply for patients.

Kneลพeviฤ‡ explained that while overall reserves are only sufficient for about a day and a half, half of this supply is B positive blood, the only type currently stable. Other essential blood groups have fallen below a single day's supply, creating an alarming situation. The institute requires at least 300 units of blood daily to maintain adequate levels. However, this past week has seen donations fall short, with only one day reaching approximately 300 units, while others recorded less than 200.

Generally, there are supplies for a day and a half, but half of the total reserves are B positive blood group, the only one currently stable.

โ€” Mirjana Kneลพeviฤ‡Kneลพeviฤ‡ explained the precarious state of blood reserves, highlighting the disproportionate availability of B positive blood.

Due to the extreme heat, the Institute is operating with limited mobile donation sites. Currently, a bus is available in ฤŒukarica, Poลพarevaฤka street near the Health Center, and another near the old Mercator in New Belgrade. The appeal underscores the vital need for public support to ensure the healthcare system can meet patient demands.

At least 300 units of blood are needed every day.

โ€” Mirjana Kneลพeviฤ‡Kneลพeviฤ‡ stated the daily requirement for blood donations to maintain sufficient stock.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog