Blood reserves in Luxembourg are under strain, with authorities calling for more donations as seasonal illnesses and holidays contribute to a decline in donors.
Healthcare authorities in Luxembourg are sounding the alarm over a shortage of blood donations, a problem currently also observable in countries around the globe. Speaking to RTL, Dr Andrée Heinricy at the national blood donation service asserted that 100–120 donations are needed daily to maintain a stable supply in the Grand Duchy.
While the donation rate has recently failed to meet the bar, Dr Heinricy acknowledged that this is not surprising this time a year, with winter typically preventing large numbers of people from donating due to illness. "Even if one only has to wait for 14 days after recovering from a regular flu infection, the days pile up and many people end up unable to carve out the time to donate", the physician exlained.
Dr Heinricy also drew attention to the fact that the donation rate is usually lower during school holidays.
In Luxembourg, blood donations can be made by people aged 18–65 who weigh over 50kg. Further limitations are in place to minimise infection risks, with waiting periods stipulated for people who recently travelled to tropical regions, changed sexual partners, or got a tattoo or piercing.
Dr Heinricy noted that people also have to fill out a questionnaire and talk to a physician, after which it should take "5–10 minutes for regular donors and perhaps a quarter hour for first-time donors". She further underlined that people find themselves in a "comfortable" setting while 475ml of blood is drawn, a "relatively quick" procedure.
RTL also spoke to Tiara Ernten, who has been donating blood regularly since turning 18. She explained that it was her father who first inspired her to start, arguing that the pain is usually negligible, nurses are friendly, and that there is a free croissant in it.
In case blood reserves in Luxembourg should ever reach a critical low, then accords with organisations from neighbouring countries kick in so that stocks can be refilled.
Click here to learn more about donating blood in Luxembourg.
