**Nationwide Blood Supplies Remain Limited in Cyprus**
The head of the Cyprus Blood Bank, Androula Panayiotou, issued a pressing appeal to the public on Monday, urging citizens to contribute to blood donation efforts as the country faces a critical shortage of blood supplies. Panayiotou described the current situation as precarious, stating, "We are at borderline levels at the moment."
According to Panayiotou, the daily requirement for blood across the nation stands at approximately 350 bottles. While the blood bank managed to collect satisfactory amounts over the recent weekend, forecasts for the upcoming days raise significant concerns. She emphasized that if the current trend continues, with only 190 to 200 bottles expected from planned donations, the blood supply crisis could escalate into a serious problem.
The recent collections were bolstered by organized blood donation drives conducted by the army. However, these initiatives have come to an end, and with the ongoing summer holidays, the frequency of organized blood donations in other sectors has drastically decreased. Panayiotou noted, "Organized groups are not organizing blood donations these days, as they know that many people are absent and many workplaces are closed." This lack of organized efforts typically aids in reaching the necessary daily target of 350 bottles.
In light of this situation, Panayiotou called upon residents to take time out of their schedules to donate blood. She highlighted that the donation process is relatively quick, taking no longer than 15 minutes, and can have a profound impact on saving lives.
For those interested in donating, blood donation centers are available at several locations across Cyprus, including:
- Engomi Health Centre (Tel: 22 809098)
- Geri Health Centre (Tel: 22 309221)
- Limassol – Old Hospital (Tel: 25 730277)
- Larnaca – General Hospital (Tel: 24 800402)
- Paphos – Blood Donation Centre (Tel: 26 306409)
- Paralimni, Sotiros 2 (Tel: 99 287584)
As the situation develops, the Cyprus Blood Bank continues to monitor blood supplies closely and remains hopeful that public participation in blood donation will increase to meet the urgent needs of the healthcare system.