National Blood Transfusion Center (NBTC) Emphasizes Importance of Blood Donation and Outlines Regulations in Tunisia
The National Blood Transfusion Center (NBTC) is reminding the public of the importance of blood donation and clarifying the rules governing this practice in Tunisia. According to General Director Hamida Salama, blood groups O and A are the most common among Tunisians, while negative blood groups (Rh-) remain rare.
Legal Framework and Rare Blood Groups
The Tunisian legal framework requires the primary treatment of classical blood groups (A, B, AB, O), but the NBTC exceptionally provides rare sub-groups to patients requiring repeated transfusions, such as those with thalassemia, undergoing chemotherapy, or pregnant women, in order to prevent the formation of antibodies and ensure the safety of transfusions.
The Importance of Blood Donation
"Blood donation is a noble human act, through which thousands of patients suffering from hemorrhages or anemia can be saved," emphasized Hamida Salama. Any healthy person between the ages of 18 and 65 can donate blood. Men can donate up to five times a year, and women up to three times, with a minimum interval of two months between consecutive donations.
Safety and Medical Examination
The director pointed out that the amount of blood collected during a donation never exceeds 8% of the total blood volume, a quantity that is quickly replenished by the body. All materials used are sterile, single-use, and destroyed after each donation, ensuring the safety of both the donor and the patient. Each donor also undergoes a comprehensive medical examination and blood tests to detect syphilis, hepatitis B and C, as well as HIV. In the event of a positive result, the center informs the individual concerned and ensures their referral to necessary medical follow-up.
Benefits for Donors
Finally, the NBTC provides each donor with a blood donor card indicating their blood group and offering priority access to blood for a year, valid for the donor, their parents, spouse, and children.
