Want to donate? Donate blood!

Yeah.. I was thinking that too. I never heard anything like that in the US when the blood drive happened at work. It sounds a little weird... it's not like we're losing pints of blood before they even start the blood donation!

Thanks for additions, all. Like I wrote above

So I'd certainly ask them about your eligibility to donate too. If Indian rules or practice should be laxer (or otherwise significantly different), but at home they tell you you shouldn't, I'd take that as a clear message not to then.

So perhaps that rules out most travelers then. In that case, 'twas just another useless idea. I'll ask about it on a next tropical visit, could be a while -- or not

Yep. That's the better idea isn't it. Add it to my phone calls tomorrow.

Not a useless idea at all.. a very thoughtful and caring one And you never know when someone *would* actually be able to... those brave (or foolish?!) folk who travel without vaccinations etc. All the resident IM'ers too. I'm reading stats that say if 2-3% of eligible people in India donated blood it would fulfill all their bloody supply needs. Doesn't sound like a lot but makes you realise how great the need is.

BTW: reading lots of international sites about blood donation and menstruation... they all say ABSOLUTELY - you can donate as long as you're feeling fine. There is no reason why not. So I guess it is some superstition here in India They can hardly afford to be stopping people who are eligible can they? sigh..

Well, as you'll realize that good member on the ground mentioned above who gave me the idea was you... So pat on the back in return, and all that

nay nay my good friend! You suggested it in the first place as I recall!

As judecg says, any normal healthy woman would be completely unaffected and absolutely able to donate blood.

I would cheerfully lie about #7, after all I very much doubt they would check...

OK, just had a chat about this with my vaccinations people. Note: None of this is very conclusive.

I didn't want to bother the woman helping me any more than necessary, however we did discuss it. According to her, being vaccinated shouldn't stop you from donating blood, it won't do the recipient any harm. What she did say is if you've been given gamma-globulin against Hepatitis A, it works so that you'll just be passing out the vaccin, so that it won't work for yourself anymore, or at least its function to you will be diminished.

Well, all rather inconclusive; best to discuss with your own medics I guess. Beyond that, she did express the regular concerns like she ought to about sterile conditions on the ground and such. & To generally keep an eye on not over-burdening your own health while on the road of course.

hi,

I have been an active blood donor myself, in india. I think, there are quite a lot of blood banks across towns, cities and semi urban settings, where blood can be donated !!

If in doubt, just walk in to any nearest hospital in sight, and ask!! they will help you, with address and phone number if available.

I can assure you one thing, giving blood is completely safe in india. If you are still unsure, talk to the doctor, about your doubts , once cleared, proceed.

regards
cheers

hello,

Donating blood is not just a nobel cause but also helps in being healthy, as our body pumps in fresh blood, everytime you donate one.

doctors and professionals in india use disposable siringes for blood donations, wear proper safety equipments too. Needless to say, india is one of the medically advanced countries.

Medical tourism is on the rise , and patients around asia, middle east, europe and the americas visit india for all treatments. Say, for example a heart bypass will only cost a fraction of what you will be paying in the america or europe .

regards
cheers

The way it works is that your bone marrow gets busy. Thus, your body will be better prepared if you're into any future accident or else that requires your own body to produce more of what's needed.

Not quite. Any total medical procedures in Sweden will never cost you (for a Swedish citizen or EU inhabitant) than some USD 120, and prescription drugs to additionally USD 240, per one year, be it bypasses or kidney transplants or whatever. I doubt even France can beat that.

A recent case involved one (1) woman afflicted by a very rare disease that requires drugs costing some USD 35 000 per month to just survive. She'll get her treatment, at comparativley no cost (see above) to her.

I had the same thought as Shawn, but looks like the Health Authorities have a logic behind. An acquaintance of mine - who had worked for various State Health agencies at the grassroot level thinks that this has to do with very high %age of Anaemia esp. among Indian women. **

The logic is, during menstruation, women loose blood and her body cells are busy regaining the loss. Additional blood loss might be risky for her, so it's not recommended.

Looks logical, but no specific data to support am afraid!

** P.S. Some info here - http://www.zeenews.com/news355821.html

In well fed Sweden, women may donate once every three months, men every other month. Benefits include iron tablets to compensate for the loss.

Giving blood in India. Much needed but agree with all the comments re checking as it's more complicated that it seems sometimes. So there is the obvious re disease, then there are other issues e.g. the Rhesus antibodies for childbearing women. Which women might unknowingly pass on [If you have them it causes major problems for the baby] so a person needs to check that it is a good idea for them
and would they check here in India in an emergency situation.
I like the OP suggestion, check with your doctor and then donate where you can.

[QUOTE=KateW;808647]
Giving blood in India. Much needed but agree with all the comments re checking it's OK as it's more complicated that it seems sometimes. So there is the obvious re disease, then there are other issues e.g. the Rhesus antibodies for childbearing women. Women might unknowingly pass this on [If you have them it causes major problems for the baby]
and would they check here in India in an emergency situation?
I like the OP suggestion, check and then donate where you can