Cyprus’ Blood Centre has appealed to the public to donate blood, particularly those who have not yet left for their summer holidays or have already returned, as daily demand has climbed to 350 units.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) on Monday, Blood Centre head Androula Panayiotou said the seasonal drop in donor turnout during August is a recurring challenge, making it essential to maintain adequate blood supplies.
Daily demand has more than doubled
Panayiotou said the Blood Centre remained open over the weekend, with donation stations operating and the public responding positively.
However, she warned that unless donors continue to come forward in the coming days, blood stocks will fall again.
“The National Guard provided significant support last week, but we need the backing of society as a whole. We urge everyone who is able to donate blood, especially new donors, as we are in great need of them,” she said.
She stressed that patients’ needs do not decrease during the holiday period.
“Illnesses, accidents and patients requiring regular transfusions do not take holidays. The pressure is constant and the need for blood has increased dramatically,” she added.
Demand rises to 350 units a day
Panayiotou said that shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals required around 150 units of blood each day. Today, demand has risen to approximately 350 units daily.
She attributed the increase to a higher number of complex surgical procedures in both public and private hospitals, which require larger quantities of blood.
She also noted that people living with thalassaemia now require more transfusions due to increased life expectancy.
Most needed blood groups
According to Panayiotou, the greatest pressure is on O positive, O negative and A negative blood groups.
She explained that limited blood supplies mainly affect scheduled operations and transfusions for patients who rely on regular treatment, including those with thalassaemia, blood disorders, leukaemia and other forms of cancer. Health authorities continuously assess demand to ensure the most urgent cases receive priority.
Saturday donation centres open
Panayiotou said the Blood Centre continues to organise donation drives at shopping centres and mountain communities, where expatriates often respond positively. However, these initiatives are not enough to meet the consistently high demand.
Most workplace and community blood donation campaigns are suspended during August because many people are away on holiday, although some continue in mountain areas.
To encourage more blood donations, the Blood Centre has also scheduled Saturday opening hours at selected centres.
Every Saturday, the Geri and Engomi Blood Donation Stations operate from 08:00 to 14:00, while other stations open according to the schedule of mobile blood donation campaigns and staff availability.
Panayiotou concluded that there is currently no blood shortage, but stressed that continued donor participation is essential to maintain sufficient supplies for all patients in need.
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