Maldivian Blood Services (MBS) have said the increase in Covid cases have resulted in a shortage at the blood bank and have requested the public in the Greater Male’ Area to donate blood.
MBS had to ask the public for assistance previously as well, when blood donations were low amidst Covid peaks. The usual donors face difficulty these days in donating as there has been an increase in Covid and the flu.
Vice President of Maldives Blood Donor Ibrahim Rasheed told Mihaaru news on Sunday that it was difficult to get blood again due to the increase in the number of Covid positive cases, which has increased the number of direct contacts, who need to stay home.
He said that the O Positive and A Positive are the two blood types most in demand in Maldives. However, other blood types are also important and it is difficult to receive blood donations from those groups these days as well.
He said that doctors recommend to wait for three days after recovering from the flu to donate blood. Vaccinated people can donate as well.
Every healthy person over the age of 18 can donate blood four times a year. This is if the person weighs not less than 45 kg and the haemoglobin count is not below 12.5 points.
MBS has requested the public to donate blood several times since March 2020. The lockdown imposed to control the spread of Covid-19 had reduced the number of blood donation camps held throughout the year. MBS obtains most of the blood from such camps in resorts.
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