Pre-donation Tips

Before visiting donation center

• Eat a balanced meal at least 4 hours before you donate.
• Check if you are eligible to donate.
• If you feel unwell after making a donation or think you may be coming down with an infection, please contact your nearest donor clinic.

Before donating a donor will:

• Complete a questionnaire containing personal details.
• Answer questions concerning their health, sexual and social conduct.
• Undergo one-on-one interview with a staff member as a follow up to answers on the questionnaire.

You can’t donate blood right now if you:

Have low blood pressure.

• Have high blood pressure.
• Have low haemoglobin (iron).
• Are pregnant.
• Have had surgery recently.
• Are taking certain medications

What should I expect?

• Iron (haemoglobin), blood pressure level and pulse rate will be checked.
• Blood donation takes about 30 minutes.
• New needles, which are sterile is used once and incinerated, thereafter.

Minimum requirements for donation are:

• Weigh at least 50kg.
• Between ages of 16 and 65.
• Are in good Healthy.
• Lead a sexually safe lifestyle.
• Consider your blood safe for transfusion.
• The criterion for 65 years applies to first time and lapsed donors only.
• Are NOT due for a surgical operation within 6 months.
• Have NOT had jaundice, hepatitis, cancer, heart disease, epilepsy or bleeding disorder.
• Have NOT been exposed to HIV

• Repeat donors may continue to donate for as long as possible provided they bring a doctor’s letter every 2 years.

Your blood is not safe if you are:

• HIV or AIDS positive.
• Had sex with, or worked as, a commercial sex worker in the past six months.
• Have been treated for a sexually transmitted disease in the past twelve months.
• Had more than one sexual partner in the past 6 months.
• Had casual sex or sex with someone whose sexual background is unknown.
• Ever injected with drugs or substances not prescribed by a doctor.