Holidays affect the blood stores negatively.
In order to ensure the availability of blood for sick and injured patients, it is necessary that the stocks in the hospitals are replenished, warns the organization Geblod.
The need is greatest in Skåne, Västra Götaland, Östergötland and Norrbotten. But other regions are also struggling with dwindling blood reserves ahead of the summer.
– It is a stressful situation, says Jesper Bengtsson, specialist doctor at Geblod.
In connection with the spring long weekends and summer vacations, fewer blood donors are available to donate blood, which makes it difficult for the regions to fill up their stocks sufficiently for the summer.
– It is a recurring problem almost every year, says Jesper Bengtsson.
Even so, the need for blood remains unchanged and is as great during the summer as at other times of the year. Within the Swedish healthcare system, a blood bag is required every minute, around the clock, all year round.
In addition, blood can only be stored for six weeks, making a constant stream of blood donors absolutely essential to ensure stocks.
– We’re not there yet, but in the worst-case scenario we could end up in a situation where you don’t have enough blood to be able to carry out, for example, planned operations, says Jesper Bengtsson.
He urges blood donors to give blood before they move to the summer cottage or travel away.
– Then we always want more blood donors. It is particularly important in the troubled times we live in now, says Jesper Bengtsson.
FACTS
Fact sheet: Blood donation
The blood you donate can, for example, be used in operations and treatment of various diseases.
To become a blood donor, you are usually required to be between 18 and 60 years old, although the age limits may vary depending on the region.
You must also be in good health and weigh more than 50 kilos.
In addition, your blood count needs to be high enough.
Source: 1177
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