Blood Service urges donors to visit main centres

The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) has urgently appealed to donors to visit their nearest main blood banks to help maintain the country’s essential blood supply, Director Dr. Lakshman Edirisinghe announced today.

He said the ongoing floods and landslides have severely disrupted the organisation of mobile blood donation camps nationwide, forcing the cancellation of a large number of scheduled drives. As a result, medical teams responsible for mobile collections are struggling to gather the required daily supply.

“Nearly 1,500 units of blood are needed every day to maintain a continuous transfusion service. More than 85% of our blood supply usually comes from mobile donation camps,” Dr. Edirisinghe said.

However, only 237 units were collected yesterday, and approximately 400 units today—levels he warned are insufficient to maintain national blood stocks.

Dr. Edirisinghe urged all eligible donors to visit the nearest main blood donation centres as soon as possible. He added that the National Blood Centre in Narahenpita remains open from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., and medical officers have been instructed to provide all necessary facilities to donors.