Red Cross warns of blood shortage

7 January 2004

BRUSSELS – The Belgian Red Cross has warned of serious blood shortages in several hospitals across the country.

Although the Flemish region is not at particular risk, the Red Cross says Walloon hospitals could soon reach a critical blood shortage.

Traditionally, less blood is donated over the Christmas period but this year donations have been particularly low because Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day all fell on weekdays.

Coupled with the effects on donors of cold weather and a nationwide flu epidemic, blood stocks have been severely depleted.

Belgium’s stock of O group blood is at critically low levels, according to the Red Cross, which is calling upon all blood donors, especially those of O negative and O positive blood, to donate as quickly as possible.

Subject: Belgian news