This year’s theme is to create an awareness of the need for regular blood donation. Its main objective is to ensure that all individuals and communities have access to affordable and timely supplies of safe and quality-assured blood and blood products, as an integral part of universal health coverage and a key component of effective health systems.
Blood is an important resource, both for planned treatments and urgent interventions. It can help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions live longer and with a higher quality of life, and supports complex medical and surgical procedures. Blood is also vital for treating the wounded during emergencies of all kinds (natural disasters, accidents, armed conflicts, etc.) and has an essential, life-saving role after child birth.
Unfortunately, as a result of lack of knowledge, there is a serious shortage of blood donors. On this World Blood Donor Day, observed on the 14th 2019 June every year let us all pledge to actively take part in blood donation drives.
Some FAQ s by donors:
Can a diabetic patient donate blood?
If you take insulin, you are not eligible to donate. The rationale is that donating could interrupt the glucose control of the body, and potentially lead to a hypoglycaemic reaction in the clinic or on the way home. However, if you manage your diabetes with lifestyle or diabetes pills, you may be eligible, depending on your overall health. Ask your doctor about your eligibility.
If I smoke can I donate blood?
Smokers are indeed eligible to donate, but there are a variety of other eligibility guidelines for donation that may decide your eligibility. It’s best to consult a doctor. Note – After donating, it is recommended you avoid smoking for at least 3 hours and not consume alcohol for 24 hours.
Is Donating blood painful?
Among other important things to know about blood donation, this one is crucial. Giving blood does not hurt. There is a slight prick when they put in the needle, and then you don’t feel much of anything during the donation; maybe an odd feeling in your arm, where the needle is inserted. Immune system becomes weak when you donate blood.
How long does the procedure take?
All it takes is 45 minutes to one hour to donate. The donation procedure itself takes about 10 to 12 minutes. But it also takes time to fill out the donor registration form, conduct a mini-medical exam, and rest and enjoy refreshments following a donation.
What are the criteria to be a donor?
- Donor should be healthy, fit and not suffering from any transmittable diseases can donate blood.
- Donor must be 18 -60 years age and should have a minimum weight of 50 kgs.
- Donor’s Haemoglobin level must be 12.5% minimum.
- A donor can again donate blood after 3 months of the last donation. Pulse rate must be between 50 to 100mm without any irregularities.
- Blood Pressure Diastolic 50 to 100 mm Hg and Systolic 100 to 180 mm Hg.
- Body temperature should be normal and oral temperature should not exceed 37.5 degree Celsius.
Who cannot donate blood?
- Patients of cardiac arrest, hypertension, kidney alignments or epilepsy.
- Women with a miscarriage history should avoid blood donations for the next 6 months.
- Have undergone malaria treatment within the last three months.
- Any immunization taken within the past one month.
- Consumption of alcohol within the last 24 hours. HIV + status If donor had a major dental procedure the wait for one month.
- It is not advisable to donate blood while breast-feeding
How much blood is collected per unit?
Each individual can donate up to 350/450 ml. of blood. The body can replenish this volume within 24 to 36 hours.
What should a donor eat and drink prior and after the donation?
Drink some liquid like tea, coffee, a cold drink, juice, etc.to replenish fluid and eat some snacks. The donor can eating light snacks and a drink (non-alcoholic) before blood donation .
What is the procedure for blood donation?
Procedure is done in the blood bank using all aseptic precautions.
Blood is collected in sterile disposable bags and needles are used to collect your blood. These disposable items are for one-time-use only.
- Donor or registration form needs to be completed that includes your name, address and a few other details.
- Heath checks screening of the donor in terms of checking blood pressure and pulse is carried out as an eligibility criteria.
- A drop of blood will be obtained from your fingertip to check haemoglobin percentage.
- On donor chair the arm will be cleaned with antiseptic. During the donation process, one can donate 350 ml. or 450ml. depending on the weight.
- After the process is over, donor will need to rest for about 5-10 minutes followed by refreshments .
- Collect the donor card with details .
How does a donor benefit?
- Lowers cancer risk Reduces risk of heart attack .
- Maintains weight
- Prevents premature aging .
- Maintains balanced iron levels
What diseases are screened to ensure safe blood?
All mandatory screening for the transfusion transmissible diseases like HIV1 and HIV2, HBV, HCV are done with the more sensitive and specific CMIA and ELISA method.
All units are screened for VDRL and Malarial parasite.
Before issuing blood, compatibility tests (cross-matching) is done before giving the recipient.
How long is the unit of blood stored in the blood bank ?
Whole blood can be stored for up to 35 days.
The various blood components can be stored as under:
Platelet Concentrate – 5 days Platelet Aphaeresis – 5 days Packed Cells – 42 days Fresh Frozen Plasma – 1 year Cryo Antihaemophilic Factor – 1 year
For further queries and information on voluntary blood donations please contact our blood bank at Wockhardt Hospitals.
