The Regional Secretary for Health stated in Ponta Delgada that it is necessary to "increase the number of blood donors," urging young Azoreans to donate blood.
Teresa Machado Luciano spoke Monday at the end of a meeting with the São Miguel Blood Donor Association. On the occasion, she stressed that blood needs "are lower today due to the differentiated use of blood," but stressed that " renewing donor generations is necessary to maintain adequate reserves.”
At this first meeting with the heads of this association, the Secretary for Health praised the work carried out in the context of promoting blood donation, which allows the blood reserves of regional hospitals to remain at levels appropriate for the activity.
Teresa Machado Luciano recalled that the legal scheme on blood donation in the Azores stipulates some benefits, such as exemption from the payment of moderating fees and the dispensation of free medicines at outpatient care services of regional hospitals from the tenth blood donation.
Eligible blood donors are required to be over 18 (up to 60, if it is the first donation), weigh 50 kilos or over and have healthy living habits.
All donations are subject to prior clinical screening, during which potential donors will have the possibility of clarifying all doubts.