Blood donation is called Mahadaan. In case of serious situations like accidents, or surgery, blood donation is required to save the life of the patient. Hospital reports show that unfortunately, about 12,000 patients die every day in India due to not getting blood on time. The country requires 15 million (1.5 crore) units of blood annually, although only 10 million (one crore) units are obtained through blood donation camps and other means. Health experts say that if arrangements are not made to fill this gap in time, then its consequences can be dire.
World Blood Donor Day is celebrated every year on 14 June all over the world to promote blood donation and make people aware of blood donation.
Health experts say that the main reason for the decrease in blood donation is many types of fear and myths about donation in the minds of people. You need to know about these questions related to blood donation.
Donating blood can weaken the immune system.
People often have this question in their mind regarding blood donation does donating blood cause weakness? However, health experts call it wrong information. In the process of blood donation, mainly red blood cells are removed which are naturally produced again by the body within a few days. However, it may take a few weeks for the level of white blood cells to return to normal. However, this temporary decrease in white blood cells does not significantly affect the functionality of the immune system. Donating blood does not cause weakness.
People with tattoos or piercings cannot donate blood.
Health experts say one should wait for three months to donate blood after getting a tattoo. But only if the tattoo is done from a government-licensed tattoo parlor. Individuals who have had piercings can donate blood without any problem provided the device used during piercing is single-use. You should wait for at least three months after getting a tattoo or piercing.
Women cannot donate blood
Anyone can donate blood, be it a woman or a man. However, if the woman has a low hemoglobin level or she is suffering from anemia, then donating blood is not considered suitable in such a situation. To donate blood, the donor should have 12.5 grams of hemoglobin per deciliter, if it is less than this, they become ineligible. If you are healthy and the amount of blood in the body is fine, then you can donate blood.
You can donate blood only once a year
This is not true. After blood donation, it takes up to 8 weeks for the blood cells to be replenished. After this, it is safe to donate blood again. The American Red Cross advises that any person can donate blood every 56 days. Blood can be donated three to four times a year.
(PC: ISTOCK)
