Before the Pandemic, Blood Donation was an activity that everyone was waiting for. Because it was held regularly twice a year at the Granadi Building, April on PT Humpuss Anniversary and December on HITS Anniversary. So the donors do not need to specifically visit PMI or the Blood Donation Unit in shopping centres and other places.

 

"Rumours says that, the blood supply at PMI has drastically reduced," said Okty Saptarini, Corporate Secretary of HITS. There are still many doubts about the health safety of doing blood donation during the Covid-19 pandemic. "In sya Allah, a little drop of our blood in this blood donation activity will really help our brothers and sisters who are in need," added Okty. After discussed with PMI team and got an explanation that there are no reports that the Corona virus could be transmitted through blood transfusions. In addition, blood donation activities are also carried out in accordance with health protocols. The President Director also expressed his appreciation for this activity, "Our blood could be something very valuable for patients out there, let's donate", said the President Director who took the time to do blood donation.

 

As one of the 28th HITS Anniversary activities, the Blood Donation was held on 10^th December, 2020 at Truntum Room, Granadi Building. The registration desk which has been open since 08.00 was still quiet. However, this did not discourage the medics to serve the donors. PMI has also issued a protocol for blood donations activity during the Covid-19 pandemic. There are several procedures that the donors must do before donating blood, such as checking body temperature. If the donor's body temperature is less than 37.5 C, the blood donation process can be continued. On the contrary, if the donor’s body temperature is more than 37.5 C, then the blood donation is not allowed.

 

As one of the 28th HITS Anniversary activities, the Blood Donation was held on 10^th December, 2020 at Truntum Room, Granadi Building. The registration desk which has been open since 08.00 was still quiet. However, this did not discourage the medics to serve the donors. PMI has also issued a protocol for blood donations activity during the Covid-19 pandemic. There are several procedures that the donors must do before donating blood, such as checking body temperature. If the donor's body temperature is less than 37.5 C, the blood donation process can be continued. On the contrary, if the donor’s body temperature is more than 37.5 C, then the blood donation is not allowed.

 

Furthermore, the donors must also wash their hands using soap and running water, undergo several health checks, check their haemoglobin (Hb) levels and blood pressure, and do the physical distancing during the process. The donors are also required to wear a mask. Meanwhile, the medics are required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) during the blood donation process. Apart from those procedures, each donor must meet certain requirement, such as physically and mentally healthy, aged between 17 to 65 years, have blood pressure within the limit of 100-170 mmHg systolic and 70-100 mmHg diastolic, and have normal Hb levels between 12.5-17.0 g%. During the Corona virus pandemic, everyone who has a history of contact with people diagnosed or suspected to be infected with Covid-19 in the past 14 days, and has experienced fever, cough, runny nose, breathing difficulties and several other symptoms that lead to Covid-19 are not allowed to come to the location of blood donation.

 

So, it's still safe to donate blood during pandemic era!