The Health Services Authority renewed its urgent appeal on Saturday for O-negative blood donors in the Cayman Islands, warning that reserves had fallen critically low. The HSA urged eligible residents to attend donation sessions over the weekend.

The appeal followed an earlier warning issued by the Cayman Islands Blood Bank on Friday. Stocks of the universal donor type had fallen to levels that threatened routine surgeries and emergency care. O-negative blood can be transfused to patients of any blood type, making it essential for trauma and obstetric emergencies.

An HSA spokesperson said donation clinics at the Cayman Islands Hospital would extend hours to accommodate weekend donors. The authority encouraged first-time donors to register and reminded the public that O-negative donors made up only a small fraction of the population.

The shortage placed added pressure on a small island health system that holds limited reserves and cannot easily import blood at short notice. HSA officials said elective procedures requiring transfusion could face delays without a sufficient donor response.

The HSA said it would issue updated stock figures early next week and thanked donors who had already responded. The authority asked healthy adults who had not donated in the previous three months to consider giving.