BLOOD DONATION (Criteria for rejection)

Dr Koh Lam Son asked the Acting Minister for Health what was the number of persons who were turned away at blood donation sessions in 1986; what are the criteria for rejecting potential blood donors and whether they are comparable to those used by blood donation centres in other countries.

The Acting Minister for Health (Mr Yeo Cheow Tong): Sir, 6,054 blood donors were rejected in 1986 out of the 48,391 donors who turned up to give blood during the year.

Potential blood donors are screened on the basis of their physical fitness and medical condition. The majority of the donors who were turned away were either underweight, on medication, or had a low level of haemoglobin. Donors with infectious and communicable diseases, chronic illnesses, or with a history of recent major operations were also not accepted.

The criteria for rejection are comparable to those adopted in blood centres overseas.

Dr Koh Lam Son (Telok Blangah): Sir, out of these 6,054 who were rejected, how many of them were first-time donors? Second, is it true or not true that many of these 6,054 potential donors were rejected not because they were not fit to donate blood but because their blood was thought to be not good enough for the Blood Transfusion Service? Third, are the first-time donors who have been rejected because of minor ailments as mentioned by the Acting Minister recalled back later?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, I do not have the information on the percentage of the total that are first- time blood donors. On his second question as to whether the majority of the donors were turned away because their blood was not good enough, I am not too sure what he means by "not good enough". But the breakdown of the rejections are as follows. Out of the total of 6,054 who were rejected, the vast majority, 84% of them, were rejected on a temporary basis. That means, for example, they were on medication or they were suffering from anaemia. They were therefore given iron pills and told to come back in the future. We will welcome them back when they have recovered.

Dr Koh Lam Son: Mr Speaker, Sir, may I seek a point of clarification? I know that the Acting Minister is not a medical person. But I have heard, for example, that a young virile person's blood was rejected because he had just been to Taiwan within the last six months. On that ground alone he was rejected.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the virility of a person is not taken into consideration when we consider a person's blood. We look into the medical factors. In fact, we should not bring up rumours in this House. If the Member has such a case, perhaps he can give me the name. We will look into it and advise him of the person's medical condition.

Dr Koh Lam Son: Sir, it is not a rumour. It is a case that was reported to me. And I think the Minister has missed the point on virility. The point is the association of virility and Taiwan.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, that point did not escape me. That is why I said that if he would give me the name of the person, I can check into the background and perhaps provide him with the person's medical condition, if he is entitled to that information.

Mr Teo Chong Tee: Sir, may I ask the Acting Minister whether some form of recognition is given to regular donors?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: The answer is yes. There is a scheme of benefits which is available for all regular blood donors.