How Blood stock reach comfortable level?

[Shan Xue]

I notice the blood stock indicator at http://www.donorweb.org/?page_id=36 shows that the blood stock for all blood groups are at comfortable level. This was never the case sometime ago. Either A or/and O was often low in supply.

How did the blood stock reach comfortable level? I thought there will be low in supply due to the surge of dengue fever.

Is it because of the blood donation advertising that many people came forward to donate blood?

[laine]

Hi Shan Xue, yes, October is usually a low collection month and coupled with the need for platelets for dengue cases, we have proactively been working with bloodmobile organisations and regular donors to help us ensure a sufficient supply of blood. Thanks to their strong support, all blood types are at comfortable levels now, but this only means that we have more than 3 days of supply. We are still actively getting donors to come forward in preparation for the coming feastive period. In the first week of November, the blood bank will not be operative for 3 days and we do not have any bloodmobiles scheduled for that week. Therefore, it is pertinent that we increase our collection of all blood types to a stock level of 5 days.

[Shan Xue]

Hi Laine,

Thanks for your reply. it is pathetic that our blood stock can only last for 3 days :( i think other countries manage to stock up at least 2 weeks supply.

People looking at the stock indicator may think there is more than enough and hence not come forward to donate blood. why not adjust the target level instead of reflecting stock at comfortable level?

[laine]

Hi Shan Xue, it is true that other countries has 2 weeks supply. One good example is Hong Kong. We are working hard on this. We will review and adjust the target level of the stock indicator accordingly. Thank you :)