Donors with good mental & physical health, completed 18 years of age, weighing more than 45 Kg and haemoglobin more than 12.5 gm% can donate blood. Additional eligibility criteria apply.
Body recovers the Blood very quickly: Red Blood Cells – in about 3 weeks, Platelets & White Blood Cells – within minutes and Blood plasma volume– within 24 - 48 hours
Drink an extra two-three glasses of water and take nutritious food. Do not smoke or drink alcohol after donating blood. Don’t do any heavy weight lifting or vigorous exercise for the rest of the day. If the needle site starts to bleed, apply pressure and raise your arm straight up until bleeding stops. If you experience dizziness or light-headedness, stop what you’re doing and sit down or lie down & raise your feet until you feel better.
The mandatory tests performed on donated blood are: Antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency virus 1 & 2, Hepatitis B surface antigen, Antibodies to Hepatitis C virus, Syphilis and Malaria parasite testing.
Donated blood will be separated into different components like Packed Red Cells, Fresh Frozen Plasma and Platelet Concentrate. Surplus plasma will be used for fractionation to derive essential plasma derived medicines by fractionation agencies.
No. There is no risk of contracting HIV infection or any other disease through the donation process. Each collection kit, including the needle, is sterile, pre-packaged and used only once.
Plateletpheresis is a medical procedure of removal of platelets that involves directing the donor’s blood through tubing to a machine which separates blood components. Blood is withdrawn through a needle and mixed with an anticoagulant (citrate) to prevent clotting. The separation of blood components is done by a centrifugation process in the machine. Platelets are removed, while the remainder of the blood components are reinfused back into the donor.