The French Blood Establishment calls on citizens to continue donating blood. Even during a period of confinement, this movement is authorized on the grounds of “assistance to vulnerable people”.
- Blood donations have fallen sharply since the start of the Covid-19 epidemic
- The country needs 10,000 donations a day
- The reason to give for going to donate blood: “assistance to vulnerable people”
“Blood collection must absolutely continue, it is vital. Your mobilization is essential”. Very worried about the repercussions of confinement in terms of blood donations, the French Blood Establishment (EFS) implores French people who do not have flu symptoms to continue to mobilize, despite confinement. Indeed, 10,000 blood donations are needed every day to cover all the needs in the territory. Due to the Covid-19 epidemic and the containment measures put in place for a few days, these donations have drastically, and dangerously, decreased.
“I know there are a lot of people who are wondering how to help, how they can be of service in this situation.explains Joffrey Molher, intern in ENT surgery at the Bordeaux University Hospital (CHU) questioned by Gentside. We can imagine that with confinement, people doubt that they have the right to come”. However, it is quite possible: all you have to do is complete the sworn derogatory travel certificateindicating that you are going to donate blood “on the grounds of assistance to vulnerable persons” in an EFS.
You will find on the Internet the establishment closest to you. Call them beforehand to make an appointment, then go ahead, without making a detour and respecting barrier gestures (mask if possible, gloves, distance of at least one meter between you and others). Once there, don’t worry, the collection staff is masked and the safety distances are completely respected for “avoid the risk of virus transmission”, explains the EFS. What’s more, although most sites are located within a hospital, access to them is mostly out of the way.
“I call for a major national effort”
Continuing to donate blood even during confinement is essential because “current reserves of red blood cells are less than 15 days and platelets less than three days”, alerted Professor Jérôme Salomon, Director General of Health (DGS), Wednesday, March 18. “Red blood cells can be stored for a maximum of 42 days and platelets seven days”explains the EFS on its website.
Red blood cells and platelets are essential for people with a blood disease, cancer (especially leukemia) or bleeding. Plasma can be used to treat patients who suffer from coagulation disorders or a serious immune deficiency.
“I call for a major national effort in blood and platelet donation. The collection of blood donations must absolutely continue, every day, it is vital for very many patients, including patients in intensive care. Travel by citizens to a collection site is authorized on the grounds of assistance to vulnerable people, by obviously providing the derogatory certificate or a sworn summons or a certificate from the transfusion centre. The need for blood is constant. Collection cannot be interrupted during the confinement period.asks Jérôme Salomon. The sites of the French blood establishment remain open and are therefore waiting for blood donors. Your mobilization is essential. Thanks in advance”.
[#COVID19] “Blood collection must absolutely continue, it is vital. […] Your mobilization is essential”. Prof. Jérôme Salomon, DGS @MinSoliSante calls on donors to go to the collection.
???? “Assistance to vulnerable people”
???? https://t.co/pqa4UQ8b7z pic.twitter.com/9AeUDPMVWo– French Blood Establishment (@EFS_dondesang) March 18, 2020
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