Singapore Blood Banks Need 1,500 Type O, 750 Type B & 750 Type A Donors To Maintain Stocks
Health Sciences Authority (HSA) recently collected 1,900 blood donations, and they need more to maintain stocks.
On Thursday (20 Feb), TODAY Online reported that HSA needs 1,500 type O blood donors, 750 type B donors, and 750 type A donors so stocks in blood banks remain at healthy levels in the next 2 to 4 weeks.
The shelf life of blood is only up to 6 weeks so local blood banks need regular donors.
Blood stocks at low levels
Last weekend, media outlets widely reported that local blood stocks dipped to low or critical levels amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
Blood Donors Urgently Needed As Blood Bank Runs Critically Low For A+, B+, O+ & AB+ Types
Fortunately, many locals responded to their call and HSA received 1,900 “whole blood” donations from Saturday (15 Feb) to Monday (17 Feb). They had 70% more donors compared to the regular weekend.
For the uninitiated, “whole blood” refers to blood drawn directly from the body without removed components like plasma or platelets.
3,000 more blood donors needed
While HSA was happy about the public’s overwhelming response, more donors are still needed.
They need 750 type A donors, 750 type B, and 1,500 type O donors so stocks will remain at healthy levels. Meanwhile, AB+ blood stocks were considered “healthy”.
Here’s a look at their latest update of the blood stocks on Thursday (20 Feb).
They told TODAY Online,
blood has a shelf life of six weeks, so regular donations are needed to ensure that we have sufficient blood.
Hence, they advise kind locals to make regular appointments for Singapore’s blood banks.
Blood stocks with critical levels typically need donors within the same day. For low blood stocks, donors are encouraged to donate within the week.
Make time to donate
Hospitals need regular blood donations to treat patients who need blood transfusions at very critical moments.
Donating blood is a fast and easy process that could help you save a life. So, if you’re currently healthy, then please take the time to donate during this week.
A small donation can go a long way.
Featured image from Facebook.
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