Severe bleeding during childbirth requires multiple transfusions to save the mother and the baby. In this type of situation emergency O type blood is used and the hospitals often do not have sufficient emergency blood to save the mothers. This means that the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) needs to collect more O type (Universal Blood type) to prevent maternal deaths.
SANBS and the Department of Health have formed a partnership to prevent unnecessary maternal death due to the lack of blood. The campaign, Save Mother Save Baby, will be focussed on ensuring that there is sufficient emergency blood available in all institutions where there is no resident blood bank.
However, expanding the availibility of emergency fridges in hospitals means that these fridges need to be continually adequately stocked. The only way to ensure this is to increase the number of group O blood donors.
At The Baby Expo, which is being held at the Coca-Cola dome 13-16 May, SANBS will have a stand and will offer blood grouping as well as an opportunity for the public to donate blood. This drive is in support of the commitment to the Save Mother Save Baby campaign.
At a recent summit attended by SANBS, the Health Minister, Dr Motsoaledi remarked in his key note address "it's definitely not acceptable that mothers should die from avoidable causes when they are supposed to be celebrating the bringing of life to earth".
SANBS is calling on the public to support this campaign by becoming blood donors because your blood saves lives.
Contact 0800 11 9031 or visit
www.sanbs.org.za.
For more information on event visit
www.thebabyexpo.co.za 
