Blood shortage: Scheduled surgeries requiring transfusions have been suspended in Salerno.

Salerno is also experiencing a blood emergency. The San Giovanni di Dio and Ruggi d'Aragona University Hospital has suspended scheduled surgical and clinical activities that might require the use of blood, guaranteeing only urgent procedures and emergencies.

The decision comes after the National Blood Center raised the alarm about the sharp reduction in supplies nationwide, with a particularly critical situation in Campania, Lazio, and Sicily and a specific shortage of blood group O positive.

Dal Ruggi reports that reserves are now so low that even interregional compensation is impossible. There are insufficient quantities in other regions to cover the needs of the areas most in need.

Following a report from the Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine Service, the Salerno-based hospital has chosen to focus available resources on non-postponable situations, temporarily freezing elective services with a potential transfusion requirement.

At the same time, an appeal has been launched to the public to increase donations. The Ruggi Transfusion Center is open Monday through Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and may also be open on Sundays for collections organized by the organizations and associations that collaborate with the hospital.

In the coming days, the AOU will also announce the arrival date of a camper van intended to further strengthen blood collection in the area.

The goal is to rapidly replenish supplies and allow the resumption of scheduled activities that require transfusion availability, while ensuring emergency care remains available.