- Joined
- Apr 9, 2009
- Messages
- 3,070
- Points
- 0
There is a little-known webpage that all who live in Singapore should make a point to visit regularly.
It is the blood stocks indicator (http://sbs.donorweb.org) which shows how much blood Singapore's blood bank, Bloodbank@HSA, has.
One look at it will help to dispel any illusions that there will always be sufficient blood stocks for the ill or injured in Singapore.
Currently, there are less than three days' supply of Type O blood left in the national blood bank, and less than five days' supply of Type A blood.
Blood is required not only for use during medical emergencies, but also on a regular basis for people who suffer from blood disorders such as thalassaemia, and cancer patients, particularly those with leukaemia. It is also needed during major operations, such as a heart bypass.
It is plausible that we, or someone we care about, will require a blood transfusion at one point of another during our lifetime.
Despite the advances in medical science, there is no real substitute for human blood. Over the years, scientists have tried to come up with synthetic blood products with varying degrees of success. However, these substitutes still cannot fully perform all the functions of human blood.
This is why regular - rather than one-time - blood donors are needed.
Currently, Singapore has 62,000 regular blood donors. While the figure seems substantial enough, Ms Cecilia Tan, the director of the Blood Donor Recruitment Programme at Singapore Red Cross, points out that it amounts to only 1.8 per cent of our resident population. The Singapore Red Cross hopes to raise this figure to about 5 per cent.
"It is crucial for healthy individuals to come forward to help save and sustain the lives of the vulnerable," Ms Tan told AsiaOne Health in an e-mail interview. "Everyday, Singapore needs at least 350 to 400 blood donors to come forward to donate blood in order to meet the requirements of the hospitals and to have enough to maintain a healthy stock level for emergencies."
She pointed out that blood donors can give up to three or four donations a year regularly, and urged more people - particularly those aged 16 to 25 - to become regular donors.
Ms Tan also noted that the need for blood has increased over the years: "10 years ago, the blood bank needed to collect 60,000 units of blood a year. This year, about 110,000 units are needed just to meet the transfusion needs of patients in Singapore." She added that it is "vital" to maintain a six-day supply of blood to ensure a steady supply of blood for public use in both peace time and during emergencies.
You can help by either becoming a regular blood donor, or encouraging others to donate blood regularly if you yourself are unable to do so.
Who can donate blood?
The Singapore Red Cross encourages individuals to donate blood if they:
* Are between 16 and 60 years old; (Youths aged 16 and 17 require parental consent)
* Weigh at least 45 kg;
* Have a haemoglobin level of at least 12.5 g/dl;
* Are in generally good health;
* Have not had any symptoms of infection for at least 1 week e.g. sore throat, cough, runny nose, diarrhea; and
* Have not had a fever in the last 3 weeks.
In addition to the above requirements, platelet and plasma apheresis donors should also:
* Weigh more than 50 kg;
* Be at least 18 years old;
* Cannot be more than 50 years old (for new apheresis donors only);
* Have donated blood successfully at least once before; and
* Have arm veins of a suitable size.
However, if one's answer is YES to any of the following, he/she is not suitable to donate blood.
* Ever had Hepatitis B or C
* Been infected by HIV or are at risk of getting HIV (Please refer to www.hsa.gov.sg/donorcare/donationcriteria for more details)
* Previous history of drug abuse
* Previous or current history of cancer
* Chronic illnesses requiring medications such as hypertension, diabetes or heart, lungs, kidney diseases
* Stayed in the UK for a cumulative period of 3 months or more from 1980 to 1996
* Stayed in France for a cumulative period of 5 years or more from 1980 to present
* Stayed in other parts of Europe for a cumulative period of 5 years or more from 1980 to present (however, you can donate plasma through apheresis donation)
There are also some common conditions that may make one temporarily unsuitable to donate blood:
Conditions - Deferral periods
Traditional herbs or medications - 3 days
Vaccinations (depending on type) - 48 hours to 4 weeks
Medications for treating acute conditions - 3 days to 3 weeks
Travel to Malaria endemic areas - 6 weeks or more
Tattoo, ear / body piercing or acupuncture - 12 months unless needles used are disposable and the whole procedure is done aseptically
Menstrual period - Should not donate if flow is heavy or having menstrual cramps
Pregnancy - 6 weeks after normal childbirth
Breastfeeding - 1 week after cessation
Minor surgery - 6 weeks to 6 months
Major surgery or blood transfusion - 12 months
