• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
Get our Newsletter

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Schools
      • Property
      • Work And Business
      • Finance
      • For Guys
      • Environment
        • sports schools in singapore students jumping sack sports activitiesDiscover the sports programme at this international school
        • home internet singaporeGet your IT sorted – especially if you’re renovating
        • employee benefits mental healthEmployee benefits: What’s trending now
        • John HoggerSingapore authors – new books from sci-fi to self-help!
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • The National Stadium - Sports Hub Best venues for concertsTheatres in Singapore plus venues for events & concerts!
        • Matilde G Cover picWe meet 17-year-old singing star Matilde G
        • sports schools in singapore students jumping sack sports activitiesDiscover the sports programme at this international school
        • ChivasWhat’s on this week and beyond
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • enlarged adenoids ENT surgeonENT specialists discuss hearing loss & enlarged adenoids!
        • Oasia Resort Sentosa Far East Hospitality leadFeel like having a family staycation in Singapore or have friends visiting?
        • LoveAmme MadeToTravel breast pump with custom breast shieldPain-free & Efficient Breastfeeding Starts Here
        • Camp Asia school summer holiday campsSummer holiday camps the kids will love!
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Decor
      • Readers’ Homes
      • Furniture
        • interior décor tips styling a colonial house in SingaporeInterior design styles for a colonial house in Singapore
        • European bedding best mattressBest mattresses for the best sleep!
        • Where to buy lamps in SingaporeWhere to buy lamps in Singapore – lights galore!
        • singapore furniture shoppingSideboards, benches and consoles!
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Asia
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Rest Of World
      • News
      • Travel Offers
        • international health insuranceProtecting your health overseas in 2022
        • COMO Point Yamu One Bedroom Pool Villa sundeckWhy you should stay at this Phuket resort
        • BangkokWhere to go in Bangkok
        • Jurong Bird ParkTravel News & Hotel Deals
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • Farmers market - butcher - meat shopTop butchers for good-quality meat
        • Sugarhall DaquriLatest bars in Singapore: New drinking spots!
        • M&S Meat Free NuggetsPlant-based nuggets – here’s what we think!
        • champagne deliveryOnline alcohol delivery – wine, champagne, beer & spirits!
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
      • Beauty Offers
        • Spray tan singaporeGet a golden glow quickly with a spray tan!
        • affordable massages singapore spasMassages in Singapore that’ll help you unwind
        • clifford clinic aesthetic clinic singapore best acne treatmentHow to prevent pimples and get rid of acne scars!
        • skinscapeScared of the pain? There’s always numbing cream!
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • PainWhat is pain and how do you treat it?
        • Pilates fitnutFancy doing a fitness & Pilates instructor course in Singapore?
        • enlarged adenoids ENT surgeonENT specialists discuss hearing loss & enlarged adenoids!
        • frequent urge to pee overactive bladderHow to treat that frequent urge to pee
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • BOOKS
    • Close

What you need to know about donating blood

1st July 2020 by Amy Greenburg 3 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/donating-blood-in-singapore-blood-drive/

You’re probably ready to get back out there and give back to the community. Donating blood is a great way to do just that! In fact, every blood donation can save up to three lives, according to Singapore Red Cross. Here’s what you can expect from donating blood in Singapore. 

Why donate blood?

Important for both planned treatments and urgent interventions, blood can help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions to live longer, and support medical and surgical procedures. It’s also vital for treating wounds during emergencies, from natural disasters to accidents that can affect any of us.

Since the COVID-19 crisis, having a steady supply of blood is more important than ever. According to Singapore Red Cross, blood collection in the first week of the Circuit Breaker period dipped to less than a quarter of the usual levels. Since about 400 bags of blood are needed every day in Singapore, it’s a great idea to consider donating to help ensure a constant supply of safe blood.

Singapore Red Cross has four blood banks islandwide, at Health Sciences Authority (Outram Road), Dhoby Ghaut, Woodlands and Westgate Tower in Jurong. The organisation also schedules community blood drives at other locations throughout the year. Check their site for updates!

Once your blood is donated, it’s tested, stored and distributed, then used for transfusions. All you have to do is donate! It only takes an hour – easy peasy!

What’s more, to safeguard donors’ health and wellbeing, all blood donation sites have implemented precautionary measures. These include mandatory temperature checks and pre-screening for all donors, increased frequency of cleaning and strict crowd management. To ensure safe distancing, donation beds are at least one metre apart, and chairs are staggered in the waiting and post-donation rooms.

Here’s what you can expect:

  • Form filling and registration (approximately 10 minutes)
  • Medical screening, in which temperature, body weight, pulse and blood pressure are taken (approximately 10-15 minutes)
  • Haemogloblin check (approximately five minutes)
  • Blood donation (approximately 10-15 minutes)
  • Rest and refreshments (approximately 15 minutes)

Tip: To shorten your time spent at the blood bank, it’s recommended that you make an appointment before coming to donate.

Blood donation

Five more things to know before giving blood in Singapore

#1 You’re eligible for giving blood in Singapore if:

  • You’re between the ages of 16 and 60, and weigh at least 45kg
  • Your haemoglobin level is at least 12.5g/dl for females or 13g/dl for males
  • You have not travelled to any malaria-affected areas in the last four months
  • You’re in generally good health and haven’t shown any symptoms of infection in the past week (including sore throat or cough)

#2 You can prepare for the blood donation by eating a light meal and getting a good night’s rest. No need to fast!

#3 You’ll need an identification document such as your NRIC, work permit or passport; and, if you’re 16 or 17 years old, you’ll need a signed consent form from a parent.

#4 Around 300 to 350ml of blood will be taken for a body weight of 45 to 50kg, or 450ml for a body weight of 50kg and above.

#5 After donating blood, you can resume your normal activities, though anything strenuous should wait until the following day. It’s also recommended that you hydrate, and maintain an iron-rich diet to replenish the iron stocks in your body.

To register or for more information, visit redcross.sg. 


For more helpful tips head to our 
Living in Singapore section.

Health news: What’s up!
Dengue fever in Singapore: All you need to know

 

 

Amy Greenburg

Originally from Los Angeles, Amy is passionate about Netflix, sipping rosé at rooftop bars, travelling, and all things health and wellness-related. She enjoys learning about different health topics through her writing, particularly critical health conditions, food allergies, alternative therapies, and pregnancy and postpartum-related issues

Get the latest events, stories and special offers
sent to your inbox.

By signing up, you'll receive our weekly newsletters and offers, which you can unsubscribe to anytime.

Categories: Health & Fitness Living here Living in Singapore Medical Tags: blood bank blood donation Blood Drive Singapore Living In Singapore

You May Also Like

sports schools in singapore students jumping sack sports activities

Discover the sports programme at this international school

What is pain and how do you treat it?

home internet singapore

Get your IT sorted – especially if you’re renovating

Primary Sidebar

  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2022 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.