Additional Screening Requirement For Blood Donors

12 Nov 1999

With effect from 15 Nov 99, the Singapore Blood Transfusion Service (SBTS) will implement an additional screening requirement for all potential blood donors. This is to exclude blood donations by persons who had been resident in Britain for six months or more on a cumulative basis between 1980 and 1996.

The implementation of this additional screening measure by SBTS is a precautionary move in line with the recommendation of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Blood Banks in the United States and Canada have been recently asked to stop collecting donations from people who lived in or frequently visited Britain during the period when the mad cow disease was reported to be present in Britain. Although more research is needed to provide conclusive evidence on how the disease known as new variant Cretzfeld-Jakob Disease is transmitted, the FDA has decided to exercise caution by imposing this preventive measure.

Two new questions on travel history will be added to the Donor Health Assessment Questionnaire and Blood Declaration Form which blood donors are required to complete at every donation. Donors will be required to declare their previous travel to Britain and if so, whether they have a cumulative duration of stay of six months or more between 1980 to 1996.

The Ministry would like to reassure those who might be excluded that there is no cause for alarm about their health and it is not necessary to consult a doctor as a result of this exclusion. Neither should those who have received blood in the past be concerned. The Ministry reiterates that the screening out of blood donors by this additional requirement is only a precautionary measure to prevent any possibility of compromise to the safety and high standards of quality of our national blood supply.