The Blood Bank at Magen David Adom on Monday stopped delivering blood supply to hospitals, save for urgent and life-saving surgeries, due to a severe shortage in blood reserves. The Blood Bank has a mere 400 O-type blood units, reserves that are not sufficient for a single day.

Head of MDA's blood services Professor Ayelet Shenar informed hospitals that MDA cannot supply blood units for purposes other than saving life. Professor Shenar said that a recent drop in the number of blood donors has been marked in recent weeks, possibly because of the colder weather and related illnesses.

Professor Shenar said "since a blood unit can be stored for only 35 days, reserves cannot accumulate at the Blood Bank, and donations are necessary on an ongoing basis."

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"1,000-1,200 daily donations are required in order to meet hospital demands, and recently the number of daily donations has dropped to approximately 700," she added.

Blood-type O is particularly important since it can be given to patients with all other blood types. Therefore a daily donation of 1,000 type O units is necessary to keep reserves at a satisfactory level.

MDA is calling for urgent donations. Information on blood donation is available at the MDA website and at the telephone number 03-5300400.