Updated 11am

Reserves at the National Blood Transfusion Centre have dropped drastically, the Guardamangia bank said on Saturday.

It urged people - especially those who have O Positive and O Negative blood to donate as soon as possible.

When contacted on Saturday, a spokesperson for the centre said the blood bank needs a constant donation of 50 bags a day.

The donated blood is used in operations and also in transfusions for thalassemia patients, of whom there are currently around 55 in Malta. Thalassemia patients each need four units of blood every three weeks. Over the past few weeks, donations dwindled as more people fell ill.

Last month, the centre had already warned that operations had been cancelled due to blood reserves being critically low.

The centre is open between 8am and 6pm.

Donors must present their Maltese Identity Card. One can also present a Maltese driving license or passport.

More information here, on Facebook and Instagram.

People can also call on 7930 7307 or 8007 4313 for more information or to book transport to the centre.