For people living with thalassaemia in Cyprus, a blood transfusion is not an occasional treatment but a fixed point in the calendar, every week for some and every 15 days for others. That routine is now being disrupted almost daily, as low blood supplies force postponements across nearly all thalassaemia units, affecting even children.
The warning came from Miltos Miltiadous, President of the Cyprus Thalassaemia Federation, who issued an urgent appeal to blood donors during an interview on Politis Radio.
Children among those affected
Speaking to Andri Daniel on the programme "Second Look at the News", broadcast on Politis 107.6 and 97.6, Mr Miltiadous said there are currently around 70 children with thalassaemia in Cyprus, some of whom have had their transfusions postponed in recent days.
"We are in a situation where even children's transfusions are being postponed," he said.
He explained that for children, receiving the right transfusion is directly linked to their growth and quality of life.
Daily postponements across thalassaemia units
According to Mr Miltiadous, blood shortages are no longer confined to the holiday and Easter periods, when the number of donors traditionally falls.
"For the first time, as far as I can remember in recent years, we have continuous, daily postponements of transfusions in almost all thalassaemia units," he said.
Patients receiving less blood than needed
In recent days, cases of under-transfusion have also been recorded, with patients who need two units of blood receiving only one.
Mr Miltiadous stressed that even a delay of two days means a person must function with lower haemoglobin levels.
Waiting until midday to learn if blood is available
The Federation receives dozens of messages every day from people with thalassaemia who do not know until the last moment whether their transfusion will go ahead.
Patients are told by their transfusion centre that a postponement is possible, or are asked to wait until midday to find out whether blood is available.
Beyond the anxiety over their treatment, Mr Miltiadous said, the uncertainty is disrupting patients' personal and family lives, as well as their work.
Efforts to increase blood donations
Mr Miltiadous said the Ministry and the Minister are aware of the situation and that efforts are being made to find solutions, including mass blood donation drives at large public services, organisations, municipalities and military camps.
Appeal to blood donors
During the programme, an appeal was made to blood donors to come forward, with Mr Miltiadous thanking all those who respond.
"We cannot stop saying that blood donors are the ones who give us the possibility to be here today," he said.
