The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is encouraging young people to donate blood and help save lives.
Below they give answers to questions many individuals would likely ask about donating blood, from information about blood types to to health-related issues.
Here are the FAQs and Answers:
| What are the call centre operating hours? | Toll free: 0800 11 90 31 – (Mon-Fri: 07h00 – 17h00)
Public H & Sat: 082 524 2936 – (08h00 – 13h00) Email: customerservice@sanbs.org.za |
| Where can I donate? |
1. Please call us on our toll free on 0800 11 90 31 to find out where our mobile drives are happening or for your nearest fixed donor centre. 2. You can also visit sanbs.org.za/donor-centres
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| Where can I donate in the Western Cape | Please contact WP Blood Transfusion Service for donating in the Western Cape.
Phone: 021 507 6300 | Fax 021 531 0322 E-mail: info@wpbts.org.za |
| What’s my blood type? | You can call the SANBS two days after donating with your ID number to receive your blood type. |
| Why donate blood if you sell it to recipients? | There are various reasons for this; We charge blood recipients because the process of stringent blood testing is costly. |
| · It costs SANBS money to have and sustain blood transfusion clinics.
· All the needles and other equipment cost money. · To transport blood, often for an emergency, costs money, not forgetting the money to ensure the blood going to recipients is tested and risk free.
Remember: Everyone is charged, but that being said our constitution states that everyone has the right to access health care and therefore government hospitals offer care free of charge to the poorest and at a reduced rate to those who cannot afford to pay the full cost. Where necessary, blood forms part of this treatment. It’s not the SANBS that gives the blood for free, this is a government decision.
Patients have an option to go to public or private hospitals and they will be charged accordingly. |
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Can I donate if I have or have had… |
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| Diabetes? | It depends on the type of Diabetes.
· If you have Diabetes insipidus or complications of diabetes e.g. vascular disease, amputation, etc. then you cannot donate blood. However Diabetics who are diet controlled, on oral agents or on insulin are acceptable provided that you bring a letter of permission to donate from their treating doctor, issued in the past two years.
· If you are on oral therapy, donating is acceptable if controlled at last checking (blood glucose between 3.6 – 12mmol/l) · If you are on insulin therapy, donating is acceptable if controlled (blood glucose between 3.6 – 12mmol/l) – the glucose level is required to be done on the day of donation on glucometer at home and the value must be given to the staff member who will record it on your form. · All diabetic donors must have had a light meal prior to donating; your BP and pulse will be taken before and after donating. The Sister-In-Charge may only bleed you provided the letter indicates you are well controlled and have no complications. · For Hyperglycaemia you will be deferred until your blood sugar level has stabilised and there are no signs and symptoms of poor control i.e. passing lots of urine and drinking lots of water. · Anyone with a recent history of hypoglycaemic coma will be deferred for at least 1 month from the time of the episode.
You can find out more at our donor centres here: https://sanbs.org.za/donor-centres/ |
| Breast feeding? | You can donate after you stop breastfeeding |
| Flu vaccine / flu shot? | You can donate after a flu vaccination |
| Can I donate if I am taking this medication? | |
| Anti-depressants | You cannot donate if you are on more than 2 antidepressants, otherwise you can if you are feeling well and not experiencing any ill effects. |
| Can I donate blood if I have had acupuncture treatment? | You can only be allowed to give blood following acupuncture treatment provided the needles were sterile disposable (used only once) or donor had own needles and the procedure
was performed by a recognised practitioner.
If these criteria were not met in full, you will not be able to give blood for six months. |
| What is the difference between public versus private hospital blood recipients? | Public hospitals pay for blood, just as they pay for medicines and medical equipment that they use in treating their patients. Our constitution states that everyone has the right to access health care and therefore government hospitals offer care free to the poorest and at a reduced rate to those who cannot afford to pay the full cost. Where necessary, blood forms part of this treatment.
It’s not the SANBS that gives the blood for free, this is a government decision.
Patients have an option to go to public or private hospitals and they will be charged accordingly.
Donors cannot receive discounts because giving them discounts would be a form of remuneration. People would then donate because they are looking for the incentive (discount) and not freely. The National Health Act stipulates that donors cannot be remunerated in any form. Donating blood should be an act of free will. |
| I had a bad service at mobile unit/donor centre. | 1. Please email us all the details and your contact details to customerservice@sanbs.org.za
2. You can also call our customer service line: 0800 119 031
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| Can you donate blood if you’re on your period? | Yes, being on your period does not affect your ability to donate blood. |
| Can I donate while taking iron supplements? | It depends on the reason you are taking iron supplements. If it was prescribed by your doctor because your iron levels are low, then you are unlikely to be able to donate until your red blood cells, or haemoglobin, returns to normal. If you’re taking iron supplements on your own initiative, there shouldn’t be a problem with donating. Your iron levels are always checked before you donate and if it is too low, you will unfortunately not be allowed to donate. |
| Why do blood donors get charged for blood? | Donors do not get a preferential rate. The National Health Act prohibits any type of financial or other reward for donating blood. |
| Shouldn’t we receive gifts everytime we donate blood? | The National Health Act and World Health Organisation guidelines and advice prohibit payment or compensation for organ and blood donation. SANBS however wishes to recognise those regular donors who regularly and selflessly give of their time to donate, which is why donors who donate four times a year, or who reach significant milestones, receive small tokens of appreciation such as gifts or being recognised at donor awards ceremonies. |
| I want to host a blood drive | 1. Please email us your details and the area you wish to host at to customerservice@sanbs.org.za
2. Visit: sanbs.org.za/book-blood-drive-form 3. You can also call our customer service line: 0800 119 031
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| I have employment queries | Visit: sanbs.org.za/careers
or our PNET careers portal for available vacancies sanbs.pnet.co.za |
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