By Ibrahim Alawi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — No one infected with coronavirus is allowed to donate blood until he has full recovered, Assistant Minister of Health and the ministry spokesman Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdel Ali has said.

“Any one wanted to donate blood in general has to go through some medical evaluation processes to check on his health so as to ensure his total fitness for donation as well as the safety of the blood that he donates. In the case of those infected with coronavirus, they cannot donate unless their recovery is proven,” Dr. Al-Abdel Ali told Okaz/Saudi Gazette on Tuesday.

Regarding the possibility of donating blood by people with special needs, Dr. Al-Abdel Ali explained that the category of people with special needs includes those suffering from a wide range of diseases, such as mental and intellectual diseases and limited physical disabilities.

“In the case some of them, like those having mental disorder, they are not allowed to donate blood while in the case of some others, they are allowed to donate blood after undergoing the procedures of medical examination and confirmation of their physical fitness," the ministry spokesman added.

The basic terms and conditions for the donors include that they shall be in good health and not suffering from any infectious diseases. Only those between the ages of 18 and 65 years will be allowed to donate blood.

The blood donation is permissible only for those with a physical weight of more than 50 kg and those with hemoglobin between 14-17 grams per deciliter for men and 12-14 grams for women. The conditions also say the pulse rate shall be between 50-100 per minute and the body temperature should not exceed 37 degrees Celsius, while the blood pressure rate shall be less than 120/80 mm Hg.

An adult who is in good health can donate about 450-500 ml of his blood without any fear or danger to his health, and he can donate every two months, provided that the number of donations does not exceed five times a year.

It is not allowed to donate blood for a number of people, most notably those under the age of 18 years and those suffering from infectious diseases such as AIDS, Hepatitis B and C, syphilis and malaria; people with genetic blood diseases; people with severe anemia, and those with chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer.

The blood donor is required to take rest for some time after the donation. In addition to this, he needs to have more fluid intake, and avoid strenuous physical activity or lifting of heavy things for five hours after the donation.