CAIRO - Local blood banks are facing an acute shortage. According to the Health Ministry, only 35 per cent of actual needs are met. The problem, however, is poor donation prompted by the ignorance of its importance, fear of contamination and laziness. According to statistics, potential donors are estimated at 20 million per annum, but the actual number does not exceed 1.2 million. Although blood donation campaigns have been organised for many years, a donation culture still seems absent from a society where the illiteracy rate reaches around 30 per cent. The suspension of blood imports since July, for financial reasons, has compounded the situation. High demand caused by the bloody events during the January revolution and its aftermath, with escalating events of thuggery and sectarian tensions, has exhausted all reserves. Oddly, the Central Blood Bank in Cairo has stated that donations have dropped by half after the revolution. Sadly at least 30 per cent of the donated blood cannot be used due to contamination with hepatitis viruses. All these reasons lead to a shortage that affects all patients, whether they can afford to pay for blood bags or not. There are 24 blood banks and 200 centres attached to hospitals in Egypt. They all complain about the small number of donors. Individual initiatives encouraging potential donors to step forward were not successful. Just as Egyptians show their charitable spirit when it comes to food and money, there has to be more societal awareness that blood donations are significant for saving lives.
