RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The São Paulo Blood Bank stocks are critically low. According to the institution, there is a particular need for blood types O, A, and B negative.
Blood type O negative is crucial because it is considered a universal donor, used in cases of extreme emergency when there is no time to confirm the patient’s blood type.
According to the head of the Blood Bank, Bibiana Alves, the novel coronavirus pandemic has affected donations, which has contributed to reducing stocks. “We hope that now, at the start of this year, when there is hope in fighting Covid-19, with the beginning of vaccination, people will become more aware of the issue of blood donation,” she says.
The Blood Bank, located in the Paraíso neighborhood of São Paulo, is complying with the protocols to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus and ensure the safety of donors.
To donate, it is necessary to bring an identification document; to be between ages 16 and 60; to weigh at least 50 kilos; and not to have ingested alcoholic beverages in the past 12 hours.
Some chronic diseases, such as diabetes requiring insulin, and sexually transmitted diseases may be impediments to donation. After piercing and tattooing procedures, one must wait at least one year to donate.
Due to the protocols linked to Covid-19, people who have had flu symptoms should wait at least 30 days before donating and 15 days after traveling abroad.
The São Paulo Blood Bank contact number for donors is +55 11 3373 2000.