STATUS OF BLOOD SUPPLY AND DEMAND IN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND PROTOCOLS IN PLACE FOR RAPID MOBILISATION IN EMERGENCIES

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2597
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 27 FEBRUARY 2024

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong
MP for Jurong GRC

Question No. 5526

To ask the Minister for Health (a) what is the current status of blood supply and demand for blood in our healthcare system; and (b) what are the measures being taken to ensure that there is an adequate supply of blood across all blood types, especially those that are rare.

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2598
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 27 FEBRUARY 2024

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong
MP for Jurong GRC

Question 5534

To ask the Minister for Health (a) how prepared is the nation’s blood supply to handle emergencies or disasters that may lead to a sudden spike in demand; and (b) what protocols are in place for rapid mobilisation of blood resources in such scenarios.

Answer

1  Currently, the national blood inventory for all blood types is at a healthy level. 

2  The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has been taking proactive measures to maintain the blood supply at a level that can meet the national blood demand. These include organising more group donations, sending SMSes to blood donors of specific blood groups to donate when inventory falls, and using social media messages to encourage more blood donations.

3     As for rare blood types, HSA maintains a registry of suitable donors, and may freeze the donated blood and thaw them for use as necessary. 

4    HSA has in place contingency plans and emergency preparedness protocols as part of the National Blood Programme to respond to emergencies and to meet blood demand surge.