Critical blood shortages in Cyprus prompt urgent calls for donations

Cyprus is facing a critical shortage of blood, leading to significant delays in scheduled transfusions for patients suffering from thalassemia. Miltos Miltiadous, president of the Pancyprian Thalassemia Association, reported that the situation has reverted to the systemic difficulties of the 1980s and 1990s, forcing patients to rely on family members for blood supply. The association warns that this has already led to the deterioration of health for some patients, noting that clinics are currently operating at 46% efficiency due to these constraints.

Andri Panayiotou, head of the Blood Center, confirmed the severity of the shortage across all blood groups. While she emphasized that the number of annual donors is actually increasing, the overall demand has surged significantly due to a rise in traffic accidents, surgeries, and needs during pregnancy. Regular donors are reportedly becoming overburdened by the frequency of requests. In response, the Blood Center has launched awareness campaigns and is urging new, healthy volunteers to step forward. Officials are continuing to monitor supply levels while seeking to stabilize transfusion services to prevent further health risks to dependent patients.