The month of January is observed as Blood Donor Month and we will be sharing the criteria for donating blood. Magdalene Nwokocha, Consultant Haemotologist/Oncologist, UHWI joins us on Sunrise and will educate us.
Criteria for Donating – DID YOU KNOW:
- Step One – Registration
The NBTS is required to keep accurate records on blood donors therefore persons visiting collection centres or blood drives are required to provide personal details about themselves. We also ask for a picture ID/TRN card. Workplace, school or national IDs are acceptable means of identification.
- Step Two – Medical Screening
After registration is completed, medical screening checks are done in order to assess if the potential donor is healthy enough to give blood.
The safety of blood supply is ensured by the extensive screening of donors to not only establish blood type, but the eligibility of the potential donor. Potential donors are interviewed by trained and qualified staff about personal and medical history as well as current health and behaviour. It is essential that this information is truthful and accurate.
This interview is followed by a testing procedure to screen for any transfusion-transmissible diseases. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic to lessen the possibility of introducing bacteria and the blood is collected into sterile blood collection packs.
Each blood donation is screened for:
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Human T-lymphotropic Virus (HTLV)
- Syphilis
The NBTS takes every precaution to ensure that the donor’s health is not compromised during the process.
- Haemoglobin estimation
At this stage the staff member will prick your finger and take a drop of blood in order to estimate your haemoglobin (iron) level. - Medical Interview
The Medical Doctor or Nurse in charge will conduct a confidential medical interview with you and check your weight and blood pressure. You will be told if you are cleared to donate or whether you are deferred temporarily or permanently. If you have any doubts or concerns about your health status before you register, you should ask to speak with a member of the medical team before proceeding as this will save you time.
- Step Three – Blood Donation
After successful completion of the screening tests, you will be asked to sit on the donor chair and the nurse will take the required steps for you to donate one unit of blood. This stage is approximately 4-10 minutes depending on the individual. - Step Four – Relaxation
The Nurse will assess if you have donated a unit of blood and take the required steps to remove the unit and other materials used in the process. Sample tubes will also be taken for testing purposes. You will be asked to apply compression to the donation site for a few minutes and later a small band-aid will be used to cover the area. You will be asked to rest for a few minutes and drink a cup of liquid refreshment to compensate for blood donated. Your unit of blood can help to save the lives of three persons.
The National Blood Transfusion Service is committed to the safe collection, processing, and distribution of blood and blood products in Jamaica.
Who Can Be A Blood Donor?
- You must be in GOOD HEALTH
- Within the ages of 17 to 60 years
- Must weigh more than 110 pounds
- Males and females are equally welcome
What To Do After You Donate?
- Drink a lot of fluids
- Take the rest of the day easy
- After donating most persons will not feel different and are able to perform their usual duties. Your body will naturally replace the blood that you donated.
What Is Your Blood Used For?
- Replace blood lost due to trauma (motor vehicle accidents, stabs wounds, burns etc.)
- Treat persons with rare abnormalities such as haemophilia
- Replace blood lost during surgical procedures (cardiac surgery, complications in pregnancy, etc)
- Improves the quality of life for sickle cell patients
- Anaemia of various causes
Understand the criteria for donating – Watch the full interview here:
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