Our Capitals
Our manufactured capital -
SANBS’ infrastructure, processes, systems, services and products
Our Capitals
Our manufactured capital - SANBS’ infrastructure, processes, systems, services and products
It is crucial for SANBS to have the right resources, including a strong infrastructure and clear internal processes, to ensure that blood and blood products are distributed fairly to everyone, no matter where they are.
What manufactured capital means to SANBS
At SANBS, manufactured capital is not just about facilities and equipment; it is a comprehensive system supporting our purpose of being "Trusted to Save Lives." It includes our various physical assets, such as collection sites, blood banks, and processing centres, combined with clear internal processes designed to ensure that blood products are delivered safely and efficiently. We focus on meeting the needs of the communities we serve by providing reliable blood products and services of the highest quality, ensuring they are accessible to all patients quickly and at reasonable costs.
To achieve comprehensive coverage, SANBS concentrates on key areas:
Collecting blood
Strategically collecting blood in high-density population areas ensures a steady supply
Expanding services
We offer services in both established and emerging regions, addressing gaps in blood availability
Addressing shortages
Initiatives like mobile blood collection units are implemented to deliver services to underserved areas
Innovative solutions
We use smart fridges for optimal storage and distribution of blood products, ensuring they remain safe and effective for use
Key infrastructure components
SANBS operates a strong and extensive network. This robust infrastructure is strategically positioned to extend our reach, ensuring that blood products are readily accessible to as many patients as possible nationwide. A significant recent addition is a new 20-unit haemobank SMART fridge, which is currently undergoing tests for 3G/4G connectivity stability. If proven successful, this technology could enable broader implementation across key hospitals, further enhancing our distribution capabilities. The network includes:
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testing laboratories (Constantia Kloof and Mount Edgecombe)
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blood banks
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fixed donation centres
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processing centres
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mobile donor vehicles (58 beds)
Technological advancements
Technology plays a pivotal role in enriching our manufactured capital. SANBS has achieved considerable advancements, particularly with the rollout of the Blood Establishment Computer System (BECS), which became operational in November 2023.
This system marked a significant milestone in our digital transformation efforts, streamlining operational workflows and improving the overall donor experience.
The implementation of BECS emphasises our commitment to innovation, allowing us to adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape effectively.
We are also pursuing ongoing digitisation initiatives, including enhancing our ERP/SAP systems and beginning the SAP Ariba implementation. These steps are expected to further improve efficiency and enhance our service delivery.
Our iHEALTh initiatives simplified our operations, increased efficiency, reduced costs, and improved productivity overall.
By focusing on improving collaboration across teams and streamlining our processes, we enhanced our ability to manage revenue collection and vendor payments effectively, leading to a decrease in overdue payments and reinforcing our financial stability.
Operational efficiency
Operational efficiency is essential for meeting the needs of the communities we serve. SANBS has made significant improvements to its operational processes, including enhancements to procure-to-pay and order-to-billing systems. These upgrades have led to better revenue collection and improved vendor payment systems.
SANBS also aims to ensure equitable coverage across all areas including urban and rural locations. Our focus is on guaranteeing equal access to blood products in both public and private sectors. Our coverage index tracks total coverage in South Africa (issues per 1,000 people), specific coverage for public and private sectors, and the percentage of blood availability to hospitals performing caesarean sections. This data is vital in assessing and enhancing our service delivery.