Hong Kong Red Cross tightens female blood donor rules for first time in 30 years

The Hong Kong Red Cross has tightened the haemoglobin requirement for female blood donors for the first time in 30 years, as the number who failed to meet the threshold and were turned away dropped nearly 75 per cent in a decade.

Dr Lee Cheuk-kwong, chief executive and medical director of the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, said on Tuesday that, effective from May 27, the haemoglobin threshold for female blood donors would be raised from a range of 11.5-12 grams per decilitre, to between 12g/dl and 16.5g/dl.

The requirement for male donors will remain unchanged.

The decision was made after a considerable reduction in the number of blood donors rejected for insufficient haemoglobin, from nearly 40,000 in 2015 to 10,000 last year.

“We notice that there is a significant improvement in haemoglobin levels among the regular donor population. Part of that is related to our education and awareness programmes, which have been impactful for more than 10 years,” Lee said.

While about 10 out of 70 people are currently rejected every day due to insufficient haemoglobin, Lee estimated that around 10 more would be turned away daily for the same reason under the raised threshold.

He also noted that other reasons for rejection included overseas travel, taking prescribed medication, and having the flu.