We always hear the tagline, “One blood can save three lives” but how many of us really make the effort to donate our blood? With the blood bank constantly running out of blood and searching for donors, it would be awesome if we could take that initial step and donate without having to be told so or only when we coincidentally pass by a blood drive?
Source: Kosmo
There are load of benefits of donating blood and the Ministry of Health also provides blood donors with some privileges which might have gone unnoticed. Until now.
FREE treatment when you donate at general hospitals
Those who donate their blood at the general hospital are entitled to get FREE treatment depending on the number of times they have donated their blood, as stated in the Information Circular by the Ministry of Health dated 20 July 2005.
Compiled by WOB
If “whole blood” donors donate more than 50 times and Apheresis donors donate more than 150 times, they get to enjoy FREE outpatient and medical treatment and also stay in first-class wards for *10 years followed by the ability to stay in second-class wards throughout their lives after the 10-year duration has ended.
*The validity period starts immediately after the date of the last donation.
Source: Jia Shin Lee
There are several requirements in order for a blood donor to be eligible for these privileges
- The donor must bring their donation book (red book) to qualify for the privileges
- The wards usability is dependent on the current situation where if the wards are full then the donor will be placed in a ward that is deemed suitable.
- These privileges can be used only by the blood donor (non-transferable).
- Only blood donors who are permanent residents can enjoy these privileges.
So what are you guys waiting for? Visit the nearby general hospital when you want to donate blood afterwards, and start enjoying the privileges that you deserve. You can save a lot of lives too, and that’s a huge WIN!
Also read: National Blood Centre Urges Public to Donate More Blood Due to Insufficient Supply
