In Singapore, more than 350 units are needed daily to meet the transfusion needs of patients in hospitals. I see the Bloodstock Indicator at Donor Web indicates that stocks of Group A and Group AB are low while that of Group O is very low.
Blood Bank staff use to say the heavy rains and school holidays would inevitably result in an annual dip in blood donations. One year they handed out free umbrellas to encourage donations, so it seems to be an annual problem, just like the Ramadhan effect.
I last donated in October so can only donate next in January 2012. Lots of undergrads, however, should be eligible!
If you’re healthy (no, you can’t donate if you’re sniffling during this monsoon), and are between 16 and 60 years old and weigh at least 45 kilogrammes, you are eligible to donate. If you’re a donor, you know you needs 12 weeks after your last whole blood donation to be eligible to donate once again.
If you have not donated blood before in Singapore, visit www.hsa.gov.sg/donationcriteria (e.g. six weeks symptom-free after visiting a malaria area) or call 6220- 0183 for more information on the blood donation criteria or to make an appointment for blood donation.
Blood donations can be made at:
Bloodbank@HSA (closed on Mondays), located at 11 Outram Road (opposite Outram Park MRT station) – map.
Opening hours are as follows:
- Tuesdays to Thursdays: 9:00am to 6:30pm
- Fridays: 9:00am to 8:00pm
- Saturdays: 9:00am to 4:30pm
- Sundays: 9:00am to 2:00pm
- Closed on Mondays and public holidays
Bloodbank@Woodlands (closed on Tuesdays), located at 900 South Woodlands Drive, Woodlands Civic Centre, #05-07 – map.
Opening hours are as follows:
- Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays: 12:00pm to 8:00pm
- Saturdays: 9:00am to 5:00pm
- Sundays: 9:00am to 2:00pm
- Closed on Tuesdays and public holidays
Or catch a Bloodmobile
See: http://donorweb.org/singapore-bloodmobiles/.
E.g. this week they will be at:
Otterman speaks... 