The Ministry of Health (Minsa) in Panama warned on Monday that the national blood supply is below 40%, making an 'urgent' appeal to the public to visit blood transfusion services to donate. 'Although most of the population has O positive blood, what we need most urgently are voluntary donors to keep blood banks supplied,' explained Zhong. Meanwhile, the head of the Minsa Blood Transfusion Medicine and Services Department, Erika Zhong, specified that they need 'O negative blood donors, as it is the universal type and can be used by anyone.' 'The Minsa reiterates the importance of voluntary blood donation as an act of solidarity and love that saves lives,' the official statement noted. Panama has 38 blood banks, 11 of which belong to the Ministry of Health, 13 to the Social Security Fund, and 14 are private, the health ministry's communiqué detailed. It added that a blood deficit has been recorded in recent weeks, making it difficult to properly care for patients arriving in emergency rooms. The situation is made more delicate as the beginning of the year sees various activities typical of the summer season, increasing the incidence of accidents and diseases and thus the demand for blood transfusions in hospitals.
Blood Shortage in Panama
Panama's Health Ministry has announced a critical blood shortage, with supplies below 40%. Authorities are urgently calling on citizens to donate blood, especially O negative, to save lives as the summer season increases demand.
