Since the beginning of November, there has been a decrease in attendance at all blood banks in the country. For this reason, the institution urged the population to come and donate, as blood is needed for emergencies, surgeries, and for the care of patients who require transfusions.
Requirements to donate: be between 18 and 70 years old, a minimum weight of 110 pounds (50 kg), have good veins, not come on an empty stomach, successfully complete a confidential medical questionnaire, present a cedula or passport, and have waited 6 months since getting tattoos or piercings.
As with the CSS, the Blood Bank of Ciudad de la Salud also revealed that it is also facing difficulties due to low attendance.
Abdiel Cubilla said in an interview with TVN Noticias that since the beginning of this month, there has been a significant decrease in donations, which coincides with the end-of-year festivities.
«The disease doesn't know about the end of the year, the disease doesn't know about Christmas,» he stated.
A significant decrease in donations is affecting the Blood Bank of the Social Security Fund (CSS). According to the institution's figures, in recent months, daily donations have dropped from 25-30 units to 18. According to the CSS, this situation has caused a notable reduction in reserves, especially of the O Positive group; recently, only 15 units were available to meet the demand. Meanwhile, the monthly volume of donations has fallen from 1,200 to 800 units, representing a 20% annual decrease.
