Authorities call for more blood donations as supplies drop to critical levels during circuit breaker

SINGAPORE — The authorities are making a fresh appeal for healthy blood donors, as blood collection in the first week of the circuit breaker period dipped to less than a quarter of usual levels.

This drop will lead to blood stocks falling far below the daily amount required to supply transfusion needs from surgeries, general medicine, and accident and emergency cases, said the Singapore Red Cross (SRC), which is the nation’s appointed blood donor recruiter.

It urged healthy blood donors to make blood-giving a priority, as “blood donation remains essential even during the circuit breaker period”.

Over the past few weeks, blood banks here have seen declining attendance and collection rates, with blood stocks for the O-, A- and AB+ types draining out, said SRC.

According to the latest update on its website on Friday (April 17), blood stocks for these three types were at “critical” levels, while the B- type was “low”.

Supply for AB- was “moderate”, and stocks for A+, B+ and O+ were “healthy”.

The SRC told TODAY: “On a daily basis, we collect about 350 to 400 bags of blood. However, over the past few weeks, blood collection has been gradually dipping.”

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA), which manages Singapore’s blood banks, said that it would need to collect 400 units of blood daily in order to maintain a constant blood inventory of six days to support urgent transfusion needs and bleeding emergencies. One unit of blood is about 350ml to 450ml.

Stocks of blood cannot be kept indefinitely, owing to its short shelf life. Red cells last a maximum of six weeks, while platelets can be used only five days after collection, said HSA.

“As such, we need a constant stream of donors stepping forward to donate blood even now when elevated safe distancing measures are imposed,” it added.

HSA said it has been screening potential donors before they enter blood banks or collection sites, and will turn away those who feel unwell, have travelled overseas in the last 14 days or have been exposed to Covid-19 cases.

It has also enforced safe distancing measures by setting donation beds at least one metre apart, and put up signs and separated chairs in waiting and post-donation areas.

“To shorten their time spent at the blood bank, we encourage donors to make an appointment before coming down for their donation,” said HSA.

Blood donors whom TODAY spoke to said that they would continue to donate blood during these times, although some expressed concerns on the risk of going out during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Mohamed Aefy Raib, 27, who works in school management at the National University of Singapore (NUS), has donated blood 10 times since he first started in 2015, and said he was planning to do so next week.

“This is an essential service. No matter whether we’re cooped up at home or not, blood will still be required for patients in need,” he said.

Mr Aefy said he trusts that blood banks are diligently carrying out safety precautions.

Similarly, 17-year-old NUS High School of Math and Science student Jewel Yeo said that she felt donating blood was extremely important, and did so at the blood bank in Dhoby Ghaut Xchange two weeks ago.

“Even though there is this virus going around, you remember that there are all these sick people here, and we still have to take care of these people first,” said Yeo, who had given blood five times previously.

She said that while she was aware of the risk of leaving her house during the pandemic, she felt assured of her safety.

“As long as the visit is short and I take a direct route there, I don’t think I will be in danger. I also wore a mask when I went. As long as you take the proper precautions, there isn’t that great of a risk,” she said.

To encourage healthy donors to step forward and give blood, SRC said it would continue to deploy mobile blood banks around Singapore to bring blood donation closer to residents and reduce their travelling time.

It has also asked employers to allow staff to make time for blood donation, and hoped more companies would promote blood donation among their employees, members and peers during this period.

SRC said: “Since the onset of the Covid-19 situation, we have seen many examples of Singaporeans and residents supporting each other and many acts of kindness towards those who have been most affected by this situation in our community.

“With the new measures, our focus is on tapping this spirit of togetherness and solidarity among our donors by reminding them that blood donation continues to be an essential activity.”

For information on where to go for blood donation and the blood banks' opening hours, go to the HSA website or the Singapore Red Cross website.