O-Negative Blood Stocks Drop to Just 1 Day Supply
In the Western Cape, O-negative blood, the universal blood group used in emergencies, has dropped to a one-day supply, while O-positive is at only three days. Western Cape, South... The post O-Negative Blood Stocks Drop to Just 1 Day Supply appeared first on Good Things Guy.
Black News 
In the Western Cape, O-negative blood, the universal blood group used in emergencies, has dropped to a one-day supply, while O-positive is at only three days.
Western Cape, South Africa (28 May 2026) – In matters of health crises and emergencies, O-negative blood is almost always the first type that doctors and medical staff reach for. It is a literal lifeline for countless patients; however, the current stock has dropped to a critically low one-day supply.
This is according to the Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS), which is urgently appealing to all eligible blood donors to donate blood as blood stocks continue to decline across the province.
O-positive blood stocks are also running low – sitting at only a three-day supply. WCBS aims to maintain a stable five-day blood stock level to ensure that hospitals across the Western Cape have sufficient blood available for emergencies, surgeries, cancer treatment, childbirth complications, and patients with chronic illnesses.
“We urgently need blood donors, especially those with O-negative and O-positive blood groups. O-negative blood is particularly critical because it is the universal blood type used in emergency situations when there is no time to determine a patient’s blood group,” says Marike Carli, Public Relations Manager at WCBS.
Blood donation only takes 30 minutes, and one donation can save up to three lives. WCBS encourages all healthy and eligible donors to visit their nearest blood donation clinic as soon as possible.
You should be able to donate blood if you are:
- Between the ages of 16 and 75
- Weigh 50kg or more
- Are in good general health
- Lead a safe sexual lifestyle
For more information or to find your closest blood donation clinic, visit www.wcbs.org.za, or send a WhatsApp to 060 549 7244 or scan the QR to start the conversation.
Sources: Western Cape Blood Service
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