Latest news with #HongKongRedCross
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong Red Cross tightens blood donor rules for recent inmates over health risks
The Hong Kong Red Cross has banned anyone who has been locked up for 72 hours or more in the past 12 months from donating blood for a year, citing the risk of infections such as hepatitis C and HIV. The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service said on Wednesday the guidelines had been revised based on suggestions made by the internationally recognised certification bodies that conducted a review of the centre last year. A spokeswoman for the service, which is operated by the Hospital Authority, said the suggestions were discussed by an expert panel and the new rules had been in force since May 27. 'Donors who have been, in the past 12 months, consecutively detained in a correctional institution or prison for 72 hours or more must wait 12 months before donating blood,' she said. 'The aim of the revision is to further enhance blood safety and reduce risks associated with blood transfusion, aligning with relevant guidelines of blood transfusion service organisations around the world.' An information pack available on the centre's website said that prospective donors who had been detained in the facilities for the 72-hour period or longer could have been exposed to 'a higher risk of high-risk behaviour', which increased the possibility of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infections.
South China Morning Post
21-05-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong Red Cross tightens female blood donor rules for first time in 30 years
The Hong Kong Red Cross has tightened the haemoglobin requirement for female blood donors for the first time in 30 years, as the number who failed to meet the threshold and were turned away dropped nearly 75 per cent in a decade. Dr Lee Cheuk-kwong, chief executive and medical director of the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, said on Tuesday that, effective from May 27, the haemoglobin threshold for female blood donors would be raised from a range of 11.5-12 grams per decilitre, to between 12g/dl and 16.5g/dl. The requirement for male donors will remain unchanged. The decision was made after a considerable reduction in the number of blood donors rejected for insufficient haemoglobin, from nearly 40,000 in 2015 to 10,000 last year. 'We notice that there is a significant improvement in haemoglobin levels among the regular donor population. Part of that is related to our education and awareness programmes, which have been impactful for more than 10 years,' Lee said. While about 10 out of 70 people are currently rejected every day due to insufficient haemoglobin, Lee estimated that around 10 more would be turned away daily for the same reason under the raised threshold. He also noted that other reasons for rejection included overseas travel, taking prescribed medication, and having the flu.
