What is blood donor?
The blood you give is a lifeline in an emergency and for people who need long-term treatments. Many people would not be alive today if donors had not generously given their blood. Most people between the ages of 17-65 are able to give blood.
Blood is made up of a number of components, including red blood cells, platelets and plasma. Each of these can be used to treat many different conditions. This makes the most of every blood donation, as the components in one unit of blood (or one donation) can be used to treat different patients.Types of blood donors
There are 3 types of blood donors:
- Voluntary unpaid.
- Family/replacement.
- Paid.
An adequate and reliable supply of safe blood can be assured by a stable base of regular, voluntary, unpaid blood donors. These donors are also the safest group of donors as the prevalence of blood borne infections is lowest among this group. World Health Assembly resolution (WHA63.12) urges all Member States to develop national blood systems based on voluntary unpaid donation and work towards the goal of self-sufficiency.
Who can be a donor
Most people can give blood. You can give blood if you:
- Are fit and healthy.
- Weigh over 7 stone 12 lbs or 50kg.
- Are aged between 17 and 66.
- Are over 70 and have given blood in the last two years.
- Men can give blood every 3 months and women can give blood every 4 months.
WHO recommends that all blood donations should be screened for infections prior to use. Screening should be mandatory for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis. Blood screening should be performed according to the quality system requirements.
Does my Insurance Policy covers blood transfusion?
Yes. According to CCHI unified Policy terms and conditions, health insurance policies in Saudi Arabia cover only the blood transfusion cases admitted in hospital.
Please Click Here to access the Unified CCHI Policy Wordings.References:
"Blood Donation." Media Center. N.p., July 2016. Web. July-Aug. 2016."Blood Donation." Rules. N.p., n.d. Web. Aug. 2016.