Italy appeals for blood donors as summer stocks run critically low

Italy's national blood centre has issued an urgent appeal for donors after warning that stocks were running low nationwide, with hospitals in Lazio, Campania and Sicily worst affected, according to The Local Italy. The appeal comes at the end of a summer that has seen record heat and a surge in travel across the country.

The shortage is attributed to a seasonal dip in donations, a recurring problem in Italy during the holiday months when regular donors are away and accidents and medical emergencies continue unabated. The Local reported that the blood centre is particularly concerned about supplies for surgeries and emergency care.

In the Veneto region, the appeal carries extra weight. The region's hospitals serve not only a resident population of nearly five million but also millions of tourists who pass through Venice and the surrounding areas each summer. A blood shortage in such a context can quickly become critical.