Thai donors are able to provide doctors with a supply of Rh-positive blood, but foreigners are the only ones who can provide Rh- blood , which is needed by foreigners. Rh-negative blood is always in short supply in Thailand.
“The people of Phuket are absolutely amazing people, ready to help a member of the community in need. But unfortunately, most blood transfusion situations are emergency situations, and even a few hours of delay can be fatal. It would be much better if blood of all types was constantly available at the regional Red Cross Blood Bank (Phuket RBC), and this can only be achieved through regular donations,” said Vincent Modell, a rescuer with Rescue Team Volunteers Phuket and an Rh-negative donor.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Red Cross, the proportion of carriers of blood with a negative Rh factor among Europeans is 15-16%. In Northern European countries, the figure approaches 20%, and among the Basque population of France and Spain it reaches 30%.
However, the further east and south you go, the less Rh-negative blood types there are. In Asia, only 1-2% of local people have Rh-negative blood. Among the population of Thailand, only 0.3% of people have Rh-negative blood.
All people are urged to make blood donations when they can.
The Phuket branch of the Red Cross will be holding its mobile blood-donation drives throughout November as follows:
Nov 5: 12:00-16:00 – Makro Thalang
Nov 7: 10:00-15:00 – Princess Srinagarindra School, Phuket
Nov 7: 13:00-16:00 – Patong Bay Hill Resort
Nov 8: 10:00-16:00 – Phuket Airport (office building)
Nov 11: 13:00-16:00 – The Pavilions Phuket (Cherng Talay)
Nov 11: 12:00-18:00 – Lotus’s, bypass road
Nov 13: 09:00-15:00 – Prince of Songkla University, Phuket
Nov 14: 12:00-16:00 – Go Wholesale, Rawai
Nov 14: 12:00-16:00 – Go Wholesale, Phuket Town
Nov 16: 11:00-15:00 – Robinson Lifestyle, Chalong
Nov 19: 13:00-16:00 – Novotel Phuket, Kamala
Nov 21: 09:00-15:00 – Phuket 9 Co Ltd. (Rawai Park)
Nov 21: 14:00-18:00 – Porto de Phuket
Nov 26: 13:00-16:00 – Bangkok Hospital Siriroj
Nov 29: 12:00-18:00 – Central Phuket Floresta (Floor G)
Nov 30: 10:00-15:00 – Wat Sawang Arom School, Rawai
The blood bank at Vachira Hospital will be holding its mobile blood-donation drives throughout November as follows:
Nov 5: 10:00-15:00 – The Royal Paradise Hotel, Patong
Nov 6: 10:00-15:00 – Chalong Hospital
Nov 12: 10:00-15:00 – Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort
Nov 13: 10:00-15:00 – Boat Lagoon (Koh Kaew)
Nov 14: 10:00-15:00 – Kathu Wittaya School
Nov 15: 10:00-15:00 – Muslim Wittaya School
Nov 18: 10:00-16:00 – SuperCheap, Ratsada (main branch)
Nov 20: 10:00-15:00 – Pa Khlok Municipality
Nov 21: 10:00-15:00 – Thalang Hospital
Nov 22: 09:00-16:00 – Phuket Namsaeng Co Ltd
Nov 26: 09:00-14:00 – Phuket Technical College
Nov 27: 10:00-15:00 – Kathu Municipality
Nov 28: 10:00-15:00 – Phuket Area Revenue Office
Nov 29: 10:00-18:00 – Thai Watsadu, Chalong
To make a donation people are advised:
- Under 60 if a first-time donor in Thailand, with 70 being the upper age limit.
- Ensure you are in good health.
- Get enough sleep the night before.
- No alcohol consumption 24 hours prior to donation.
- Have a healthy, low-fat meal at least three hours before donating.
- Do not donate blood while taking antibiotics to ensure good quality blood.
- Drink plenty of water before arriving to donate blood.
When making a donation, people are advised:
- Bring your ID card to verify your identity each time you donate.
- Complete the registration form upon arrival.
- Undergo a brief health check, including blood pressure and haemoglobin level assessment, and a short meeting with a doctor.
- The actual blood donation process takes less than 7 minutes.
- Enjoy a snack and rest for a few minutes post-donation.
- Drink 3-4 glasses of water.
People can also donate blood directly at the Phuket Regional Blood Centre, located at 38/193 Rattanakosin 200 Pi Rd in Talad Neua, Phuket Town.
The centre is open:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 8:30am to 4:30pm
Tuesday, Thursday – 8:30am to 8pm
Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays – 9am to 3pm
For more information contact the PRBC:
- Phone: 076-251178
- Mobile: 081-9588854
- Facebook: Phuket Red Cross Blood Donation Center
- LINE: @rdi1296r
The Blood Bank on the 4th floor of the outpatient building at Vachira Phuket Hospital, on Yaowarat Rd in Phuket Town, is listed as “always open” For more information: Tel: 076-361234 ext 1287; or visit Facebook: ธนาคารเลือด รพ.วชิระภูเก็ต (Vachira Phuket Hospital Blood Bank)