S'pore Red Cross appeals for Group AB- blood donors, stocks at critical level

The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) is appealing for urgent Group AB- blood donations.

SRC said in a Facebook post on Nov. 21 that stocks for the blood type has dropped to critical levels.

Blood type rare

In the post, the organisation also urged those with Group AB- blood to "come forward for a blood donation as soon as possible".

On its website, the stock level of Group AB- blood had been marked as "Critical".

Group AB+ blood was marked as "Low" in comparison.

A call to action urged suitable donors to "donate today".

According to SRC, less than 1 per cent of the population in Singapore has the AB- blood type.

In 2023, only 0.1 per cent of AB- donors was recorded, according to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

Blood donations are typically used to treat patients with leukemia, thalassaemia and bleeding disorders, and those undergoing major surgeries.

One unit of blood can save up to three lives, according to SRC.

Am you eligible to donate?

Healthy individuals who are between 16 and 60 and weigh at least 45kg are encouraged to donate blood.

In addition, donors should donate blood before their travels as travelling to certain countries or regions in some countries with insect-borne infection risks may make them ineligible to donate for a period of time.

According to HSA's general eligibility criteria, you must:

• Be in good health
• Not have had any symptoms of infection, such as sore throat, cough, runny nose or diarrhoea for at least one week
• Not have had a fever in the last four weeks
• Not have taken antibiotics for the last seven days. If you have taken antibiotics, wait at least one week from the last dose
• Weigh at least 45kg
• Have a haemoglobin level of at least 13.0g per decilitre for males and 12.5g per decilitre for females

For more information on whether you are eligible, you can visit HSA's website here.

Do's and don'ts

Those donating blood are encouraged to have adequate rest the night before.

On the day itself, they may eat a light meal and drink plenty of fluids.

Official photo identification such as an NRIC, work pass or passport will be needed for registration.

If you are 16 or 17-years-old, a signed parental consent form is required, which can be found here.

Top photos via Canva & Singapore Red Cross