DONATING BLOOD
Less than 2 per cent of the population donated blood last year.
Of the blood stocks last year, nearly 40 per cent were used for surgical procedures, including those for the heart, the HSA previously said.
Over a third were used for general medicine purposes, while about 20 per cent were for those with blood disorders or cancers.
To donate blood, a person has to generally be in good health and not have any symptoms of infections, such as a sore throat, cough or diarrhoea for at least a week, according to the HSA.
They must also not have had a fever for at least four weeks.
They must weigh at least 45kg, while those who want to continue donations regularly should maintain healthy iron levels.
When people donate blood, it is usually separated into its components such as red cells, plasma and platelets – for transfusion, the HSA said on its website. Whole blood is seldom used for transfusions except in cases of rapid massive blood loss, it added.
APPEAL FOR YOUTH DONORS
There is a need for younger donors in particular, said Mr Lee. This comes as the number of youths aged between 16 to 25 stepping forward to donate blood is at its lowest in three years.
Last year, youths made up only 15 per cent of the donor pool, compared with 20 per cent two years ago.
This slide is worrying, given that the pool of donors is expected to shrink as the population ages, said Mr Lee.
“As a person ages, the possibility for this person to stop donating blood due to health-related issues will increase,” he said.
“Each year, close to about 600 donors will stop donating blood.”
The agency is stepping up youth engagement by tapping social media and partnering with Institutes of Higher Learning to organise blood donation drives.
