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Why foreigner was not allowed to donate blood

SINGAPORE — The blood bank only takes donations from those who will be residing in Singapore for six months thereafter, so that a donor can be traced when a blood transfusion is the suspected cause of infectious disease, said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

SINGAPORE — The blood bank only takes donations from those who will be residing in Singapore for six months thereafter, so that a donor can be traced when a blood transfusion is the suspected cause of infectious disease, said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

It pointed out this “long-standing precautionary measure” after an Indian national, who had only one month remaining on his Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP), was turned away at the blood bank last Sunday.

Diseases which can be transmitted through transfusions include hepatitis B and C, as well as the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. It may take several months after a transfusion before blood recipients develop symptoms of some diseases, said an HSA spokesperson.

Although there are blood-screening processes in place, infected blood may still creep into the system during “window periods” — when a donor’s infection is undetectable by current available laboratory tests.

“It is critical that all donors provide truthful information about their health, travel and other activities that may affect the safety of the blood collected before donation,” the spokesperson said.

The HSA requires all blood donors to show official proof — such as an identification card or work permit — of a Singapore residential address for at least six months thereafter.

Last Sunday, Mr Suraj Raj, who had donated blood five times in India, visited the blood bank after learning about the urgent appeal for O+ blood. But the 28-year-old former bank manager was turned away, despite telling HSA staff that he had applied for an extension to his LTVP.

His wife, Ms Aarthy Ramarao, wrote to the media subsequently, questioning why a willing and healthy potential donor was turned away. The HSA has written to her explaining why her husband was denied giving blood.

The HSA told TODAY that three in 10 prospective donors are told to return at a later date or not allowed to donate blood, usually because they have low haemoglobin levels, or are on medication or recovering from illnesses. They may also have fine veins, making it difficult to draw blood.

Those who have recently travelled to malaria-endemic areas are also not allowed to donate blood temporarily, said the HSA.

The key criteria for donors are listed on the HSA website.

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