The Portuguese Federation of Benevolent Blood Donors (FEPODABES) today appealed to the Portuguese to donate blood, stating that during the summer months, many regular donors are absent, but the needs remain.
The President of FEPODABES, Alberto Mota, stresses that July and August are always very critical times when it comes to blood reserves. About 1,100 units of blood are needed every day by hospitals and with many donors holidaying, resources are stretched, leading to the cancellation of operations.
Today, the Santa Maria Hospital warned that the “low levels of reserves,” frequent at this time of year, led the unit to postpone some surgeries and appealed for donors to avoid the situation worsening.
“Blood reserves are low, as they are in all hospitals in Portugal. This is a countrywide problem. The IPST [Portuguese Institute of Blood and Transplantation] is bringing blood from the Azores and Madeira, as we are desperate, stated the director of the Immuno-Hemotherapy Service of the Santa Maria Local Health Unit, Álvaro Beleza.
This is not the first time that blood reserves in Madeira have been sent to the mainland.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
