The president of FEPODABES, Alberto Mota, emphasizes in a statement that “July and August are always very critical regarding blood reserves,” as many regular donors go on vacation during the summer, yet hospital needs persist. He reminds that hospitals require approximately 1,100 blood units daily.
Today, Santa Maria Hospital also warned that “low reserve levels” common during this time of year have led the facility to delay some surgeries and called for donations to prevent the situation from worsening.
“Blood reserves are low, as they are in all hospitals in Portugal. This is a nationwide problem. In fact, the IPST [Instituto Português do Sangue e Transplantação] is bringing blood from the Azores and Madeira because we are indeed in a difficult situation,” said Álvaro Beleza, director of the Immuno-Hemotherapy Service at Unidade Local de Saúde Santa Maria, to the Lusa agency.
This opinion is shared by Alberto Mota, who adds that about 15 days ago, the federation presented a proposal to the IPST to extend blood collection hours, particularly in the three collection centers (Porto, Coimbra, and Lisbon), and at the Central Hospitals of Porto, Coimbra, Lisbon, and Algarve, with opening until 9:00 PM.
The FEPODABES president states that this proposed schedule change, valid until September 15, “would provide an opportunity for all healthy people, after their workday and after a day at the beach with cooler temperatures, to donate blood.”
Alberto Mota regrets that there are still cancellations of blood collections due to a lack of professionals at the three blood centers.
This year, the federation launched a campaign titled “Donate Blood Before Going on Vacation,” appealing to all citizens over 18 years of age, weighing more than 50 kilos, and in good health to donate.
Information on official blood collection locations is available on the FEPODABES website at www.fepodabes.pt or on the APP/DSANGUE.
FEPODABES is a non-profit organization aiming to develop activities in the realm of social and humanitarian solidarity in the field of voluntary blood donation, promoting donation awareness among the public.
