Group O blood supply reaches 'critical levels' ahead of Chinese New Year, donors needed: HSA, Red Cross

SINGAPORE — The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) are urgently calling for blood donations from eligible individuals with O+ or O- blood types over the upcoming two weeks leading up to the Chinese New Year holidays.

Current blood supplies for these types are at "critical levels", said the two organisations in a joint media statement on Friday (26 January). Stocks are listed as critical for O+ and low for O- as of Thursday, and they can last fewer than six days, instead of the minimum nine-day stockpile..

The shortage is attributed to the high usage of O+ and O- blood types, coupled with lower-than-normal donations in the early part of this year. Both organisations said that, if the decline in group O blood stocks continues, elective surgeries may need to be postponed, and life-saving transfusions could be compromised.

"As the universal blood group, group O blood is required during emergencies when patients’ blood groups are unknown. Furthermore, nearly half of all patients in Singapore have group O blood and can only receive group O blood," the joint statement explained.

Possible 20% dip in blood collection during festive season

With blood collection expected to dip by up to 20 per cent during festive seasons like the upcoming Chinese New Year, the organisations stress the importance of replenishing the group O blood supply promptly.

SRC and HSA are urging individuals with blood groups O+ and O- who meet specific criteria (they must weigh at least 45kg and are between 16 and 60 years old) to donate blood. They also encourage people to donate before travelling to regions with insect-borne infection risks, which may temporarily disqualify them from blood donation.

New donors or those who have travelled in the last four months can check their eligibility online, while donors aged 16 or 17 must have a signed parental consent form from the HSA website.

Blood donation locations and precautions

Blood donations can be made at various locations, including blood banks in Outram, Dhoby Ghaut, Woodlands, Westgate Tower and One Punggol, or at SRC's community blood drives. All blood banks will be closed on the first two days of Chinese New Year (10 and 11 Feb)

SRC and HSA also recommend that donors get enough rest the night before donating and have a light meal with plenty of fluids on the donation day.

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