Should healthy people be required to regularly donate blood?

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Should healthy people be required to regularly donate blood?

We all know about the benefits of blood donation. We even hear about camps for blood donation that are organised quite frequently in our neighbourhood. But how many of us turn up to give our blood to those in need? Not many, it appears.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) advocates a minimum of 1 per cent of the population donating blood as an ideal scenario in a country. In India, we barely match up to the prescribed practice suggested by the WHO. For a country with a population of 1.35 billion, only 12.7 million units of blood were collected in 2020. Compared to this, 13.6 units of blood were collected in the US in 2021.

Despite being critical to saving lives, blood donation sadly does not draw the attention of the majority adult population in most countries. Should people be required or mandated to regularly donate blood then? The short answer is: no. Giving blood, like any other form of charity, is voluntary. Citizens must be informed about the benefits of donating blood. Here are some of the important ones:

Benefits of blood donation

Blood collected from healthy donors is used to aid the treatment of patients suffering from accidents and critical illnesses
When you donate blood, you are screened for pre-existing ailments. This allows timely detection of any morbidity in your body
Donating blood may reduce the risk of heart attacks and liver ailments. Iron accumulation can lead to increased viscosity of blood, which can lead to clots
The best part about donating blood is that it does not affect your health adversely. Our body replenishes the deficit in blood volume within 2 days

Conclusion

Blood donation is not just a gesture of kindness. It is a life-saving act. It is also directly related to a personal choice. Making it mandatory to bridge the gap between demand and supply of blood would infringe on the right to freedom of an individual. For the same reason, voting rights are not enforced on people, even though many do not exercise their franchise.

The best way forward for a nation is to take its citizens into confidence and urge them to participate in a cause that is not only going to benefit others but also their loved ones when in need.

FAQs

How regularly can I give blood?

Rules on donating blood are country-specific and depend upon the health of an individual. The cooldown period between two whole blood donations could range from 8 to 16 weeks.

At what age can I start donating blood?

Most countries allow you to donate blood once you reach adulthood. The average age for blood donation is between 18 and 65 years.

Can I donate blood if I have had COVID-19?

Yes, you can donate blood after a minimum of 2 weeks have passed or after the symptoms have cleared up.

Can I donate blood if I am taking medications?

Most medications do not hamper blood donation. If you are suffering from a disease that prevents you from donating blood, your physician will inform you beforehand.