Blood donation is a very noble hope that can improve or even save someone’s life. It is said that anybody can donate blood, from young adults to the elderly.
The short answer is simple. Most blood donors are proud to have been able to serve their community throughout the course of their lives, and there isn’t an age limit to who can donate blood. However, when it comes to senior-aged loved ones and donating blood, there are always some precautions that must be taken. We know that even though elderly family members may want to continue donating blood, you still have concerns about their well-being in the process.
There is also a certain belief that people above the age of 60 years cannot donate blood. This is a misconception that many people have. According to the data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with the National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) and the National AIDS Control Organization (2017), one must fulfill the following basic criteria to be eligible for donating blood:
- Donor must be between the ages 18 -65 years.
- Must weigh at least 45kgs.
- Have Haemoglobin of at least 12.5 grams.
Internationally, there has long been concern about the suitability of older adults as blood donors. These concerns centre on the potential risk of morbidity due to the increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease with age, and an increased risk of adverse reactions, particularly vasovagal reactions, associated with the physiological changes of aging.
The World Health Organization's blood donor selection guidelines indicate a “usual” upper age limit of 65 years but permit physicians to allow first-time donors over 60 and regular donors over 65 to donate (consistent with European recommendations). Further, on the basis that some countries whose populations have high life expectancies have safely removed upper age limits on donors, the World Health Organization's guidelines suggest that the healthy life expectancy of the population from which donors are drawn can also be considered.
Reflecting this potential for discretion, there is wide variation among and within countries in applying age-related eligibility criteria, including the specific upper age limit used and whether additional medical assessment or approval is required.
The donor should be in good health, mentally alert, and physically fit and shall not be inmate of jail or any other confinement. There are various criteria that are looked upon by doctors before they obtain the blood. In some circumstances, the donor may be deferred, either temporarily or permanently. Such situations may include:
- Surgery of major or minor levels and/or received blood transfusion – temporarily deferred
- Open heart or cancer surgery – permanently deferred
- Symptom of or heart disease – permanently deferred
- Convulsions, epilepsy or Schizophrenia – permanently deferred
- Anxiety, mood disorders and migraines – temporarily deferred
- Chronic liver disease/ liver failure – permanently deferred
- In instances of infectious diseases like measles, typhoid, tuberculosis – temporarily deferred
If you clear the requirements for eligibility and pass the assessment, you can proceed and donate blood. If you unable to donate blood due to your health, weight, or other underlying circumstances, there are still several ways that you can help the cause. Blood banks always seek volunteers to help with:
· Recruitment for Upcoming Blood Drives
· Donor Registration
· Collecting Donations.
Find out from your local blood bank how you can still make a difference!
List of Blood Donation centers in India :
https://indianredcross.org/ircs/program/BloodBank
https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/resources/UploadCDSCOWeb/2018/UploadBloodBank/newBLOOD_BANKS_INDIA.pdf
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