Donating safe blood means you are committed to participating in a vital community service to improve the quality of life, for patients in need of blood transfusions.
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has various measures in place to protect the health and wellbeing of blood donors and patients.
These measures ensure that our blood supply is among the safest in the world.
You will be required to complete a Donor Questionnaire. The questions are aimed at assessing your health and lifestyle to eliminate any effects that could pose a risk to your health and the health of a recipient.
This is followed by a one-on-one interview with the nurse who goes through the questions to ensure that the questions are understood and that the donor understands the importance of being honest on the questionnaire.
Your blood pressure and haemoglobin (iron) levels are checked. (The checking of your iron level is done with a small prick to your finger.) If you meet this criteria you may continue, if not you will be deferred