THE buffer stock of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) is well below 100 units, after units collected on Monday last have been tested and issued to the different health facilities.

According to NBTS Coordinator, Ms. Shameeza Mangal, the current position is a drop from the 200 unit target the buffer stock is supposed to be at.

To this end, Mangal is continuing to appeal for donors to come forward.

She said past successes with blood donor recruitment is mainly attributed to the support of private sector and faith-based organisations.

However, Mangal explained that with the onset of the holiday season these organisations will be taken up with different activities.

In this regard, she said other organisations are encouraged to call NBTS on telephone number 223-7182, to assist the bank in organising blood drives.

“Organisations can express their desire to support the blood bank by calling. After that we can do sensitisation sessions and then organise the collection,” she urged.

The NBTS Coordinator explained that for the remainder of the week, only two blood drives are scheduled: one that was slated for yesterday involving the Roraima Group of Companies and one today staffers from the United States Embassy in Georgetown.

Mangal said voluntary givers are encouraged to become blood donors and are welcomed at all six sites nationwide:

* NBTS headquarters in Georgetown

* New Amsterdam Hospital

* Suddie Hospital

* Linden Hospital, and

* West Demerara Regional Hospital.