INTRODUCTION

Who We Are

INTRODUCTION

Who We Are

At SANBS, our core mandate is clear: we are dedicated to providing patients with sufficient, safe, and high-quality blood products and medical services related to blood transfusion in an equitable and cost-effective manner.

As a non-profit organisation, we pride ourselves on ensuring the delivery of safe blood to every patient we serve across South Africa. Managing the entire blood transfusion value chain, we use sophisticated processes and advanced equipment to guarantee the safety of all donated blood.

Our rigorous testing protocols include screening for transfusion-transmissible infectious diseases, determining the blood group, and ensuring patient compatibility, all of which are essential for safe and effective transfusions.

Employing around 2 869 dedicated professionals (FY23: 2 776) at some 189 sites nationwide—excluding the Western Cape, where the Western Cape Blood Service operates—SANBS is committed to excellence in every aspect of our work.

Over our 85-year plus history, we have embraced operational innovation and cutting-edge medical science and technology, solidifying our leadership position in the field. Today, SANBS stands as a unified entity, providing seamless services to our stakeholders and ensuring that the lifeline of safe blood is always within reach.

Collections
Testing
Processing
Distribution

Why Should I Donate?

Donating a unit of this “precious gift of life” saves the lives of those in dire need of blood. It’s essential to develop a habit of donating blood so that SANBS can collect enough to ensure quality blood is always available in emergencies.

Thousands of patients could die daily without sufficient quality blood in stock. When you donate blood, you give patients a gift that money cannot buy and science cannot create. A single unit of blood can save up to three lives, as it is separated into red blood cells, plasma, and platelets.

Donor Donation Journey

Welcome to the SANBS Digitalised Donor Site Walk Through. As you already know, we’ve digitalised our processes at centres nationwide to enhance your blood donation experience. Ready? Let’s begin.

See our full donation process
here
Upon arrival, you will be met at reception by our friendly staff who will assist you.
You will be required to produce a valid Identification document which will then be scanned to verify your information.
The SANBS staff member will register you and capture all your details at the registration station.
After registering, your information is verified and your photo will be taken and linked with your registration information for future positive identification.
Congratulations, you are now eligible to donate blood and can proceed to respond to a digital Medical Questionnaire with the aid of our staff.
Once you have completed the digital Medical Questionnaire, you will proceed to a confidential Medical Screening area for a one-on-one interview with a nurse and a check of your blood pressure and haemoglobin level. You will need to sign a digital Consent Form.
Upon completion of the medical assessment, you will be ushered to the next available bed where you will be prepared to donate blood.
Once you’re done donating blood, you may leave the centre with a sense of pride for saving up to 3 lives.

What happens to my blood after donation?

A unit of blood is drawn from a volunteer donor.
Blood is collected into a sterile bag and labelled.
Units are transported to the nearest SANBS testing and processing lab.
In the processing laboratory, blood is spun down in a centrifuge and then seperated into its different components.
Plasma
Contains proteins and clotting factors used to treat patients with massive bleeding or clotting factor deficiencies.
Red blood cells
Contain haemoglobin, a protein which carries oxygen throughout the body. Used to treat patients with anaemia or blood loss due to trauma or surgery
Platelets
Crucial in helping blood to clot. Patients with low platelet levels often suffer from bruising and bleeding.
Blood is tested to ensure that it is safe for transfusion.
Local hosiptals place orders with SANBS for blood products based on their needs.
Blood products are stored prior to transfusion. The shelf life of blood is limited. Blood is transfused to a patient in need. Just one blood donation has the potential to save 3 lives. Platelets expire in 5 days. Red blood cells expire in 42 days. Frozen plasma has a 1-year shelf life from the day of collection.

#Donate blood.
Save lives

SANBS @ a Glance