Singapore, 25 January 2024 — The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) are urging Group O blood donors to come forward to donate blood over these two weeks leading up to the Chinese New Year holiday to restore the Group O blood stocks to healthy levels. Group O blood stocks have dipped below 6 days and are currently at critical levels due to high usage of these blood types and lower than normal blood donor turnout since the beginning of 2024.
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. If group O blood stocks continue to drop, elective surgeries will have to be postponed and life-saving transfusions could also be compromised.
During festive seasons, such as the coming Chinese New Year holiday from 10 to 12 February, blood collection can dip by as much as 20%. It is crucial that we prevent further depletion of the Group O blood stocks and restore them to healthy levels now to ensure we can meet the transfusion needs of patients. We urge all eligible, healthy individuals with blood groups O+ and O- who are between 16 and 60 years old and weigh at least 45 kg to step forward and contribute. Donors are encouraged to donate before their travels as travelling to certain countries or regions in some countries with insect-borne infection risks may make them ineligible to donate blood for a period of time. Each donation is crucial to ensure that we can maintain a minimum 9-day stockpile to respond to any civil or medical emergencies in Singapore.
Tips for A Pleasant Blood Donation Experience
For a smooth and pleasant donation experience, follow these tips:
- Visit www.hsa.gov.sg/donor_criteria to check your eligibility, especially if you are a new donor or have traveled in the last four months.
- Download the DonateBlood app (iOS / Android) to schedule an appointment and complete the Donor Health Questionnaire form before your donation to reduce waiting time.
- Have adequate rest the night before your donation.
- Have a light meal and drink plenty of fluids on the day of your donation.
- Bring an official photo identification such as an NRIC, work pass or passport for registration. If you are 16 or 17 years old, a signed parental consent form (www.hsa.gov.sg/parent_consent) is required.
- Visit giveblood.sg or call 6220 0183 for more information about blood donation.
Where to give blood:
| Bloodbank Locations | Opening Hours | |
| Bloodbank@HSA | Tues – Thurs Fri Sat & Sun Mon & Public Holidays |
9am – 5pm 9am – 8pm 9am – 4.30pm Closed |
| Bloodbank@Dhoby Ghaut | Mon – Wed Fri Sat & Sun Thurs & Public Holidays |
12pm – 8pm 12pm – 8pm 10am – 5pm Closed |
| Bloodbank@Woodlands | Mon Wed – Fri Sat & Sun Tues & Public Holidays |
12pm – 8pm 12pm – 8pm 10am – 5pm Closed |
| Bloodbank@Westgate Tower | Mon – Tues & Thurs – Fri Sat & Sun Wed & Public Holidays |
12pm – 8pm 10am – 5pm Closed |
| Bloodbank@One Punggol | Mon & Wed – Fri Sat & Sun Tues & Public Holidays |
12pm – 8pm 10am – 5pm Closed |
|
Community Blood Drives |
Visit www.redcross.sg/donateblood for locations. |
The Bloodbanks’ opening hours during the Chinese New Year period are as follows:
- CNY Eve (9 Feb): All our Bloodbanks at HSA, Dhoby Ghaut, Westgate Tower, Woodlands and One Punggol are open for whole blood donation from 9am to 2pm. Last appointment for apheresis donation (only at Bloodbank@HSA) is at 12:15pm.
- CNY Day 1 and 2 (10 and 11 Feb): All Bloodbanks are closed.
- CNY Day 3 (12 Feb): Bloodbanks at Dhoby Ghaut, Westgate Tower, Woodlands and One Punggol are open for whole blood donation.
Organise Group Donation and Donate Together
Community and corporate groups can call the Singapore Red Cross at 6220 0183 or email donate.blood@redcross.sg to organise group donations. Two-way chartered bus service to any of our Bloodbanks is available for group donation booking with 10 or more donors.