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Blood Donations and Donated Blood in Indonesia - Rhesus Negative Blood

Sourcing Rare Blood Types in Indonesia

The supply of blood to hospitals in Jakarta, and throughout most of Indonesia, is organized by the Indonesian Red Cross (Palang Merah Indonesia-PMI). The Golongan Darah website also collects information on blood types of individuals in Indonesia, with both rare and common blood types.

If you are thinking of getting blood from PMI or anywhere, please ensure that a "Blood Test Confirmation" has been conducted on the blood, testing it for infectious disease such as Hepatitis B/C, STI or HIV. Even though you'll be charged for this additional testing, it's well worth it!

If you would prefer, it's possible to make an appeal to friends of the same blood type and use their blood donated specifically for your use. If you are still having problems finding hard-to-find blood types in Indonesia, post your need on the Living in Indonesia Expat Forum, and members of the community will most likely respond!

It is important to know the blood types of all family members, prior to an emergency. Did you know that even if both parents are Rhesus positive, your children could be Rhesus negative (through a recessive gene). Information on all your family members blood types and the possible need for Rhesus negative blood is important to know in case of any emergency during your stay in Indonesia.

Screening of Blood Donations by the Indonesian Red Cross

In January 2011, the Indonesian Red Cross (IRC) announced it would increase the safety of its blood supply by expanding its use of highly sensitive NAT testing for HIV and hepatitis at 15 new centralized blood testing laboratories. The IRC, (Palang Merah Indonesia - PMI), selected Novartis Diagnostics as its partner in this important public health project. The IRC will use the fully integrated and automated Procleix Tigris system and the Procleix Ultrio Assay, which screens for HIV-1, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C in a single assay. For a reference point - 100% of the U.S. blood supply is screened with NAT technologies, and Novartis Diagnostics' products are used to screen 80% of the U.S. blood supply (5/2011).

Note that not all blood in the blood supply may be screened until the practice is spread through/to all centers. So ask if any blood you are receiving has been screened by this system.

Expatriate Emergency Blood Donor Committee - Rhesus Negative Blood

Overall blood supplies are limited - most importantly - there usually are no supplies of RH Negative blood. The RH Negative group is rare among Indonesians, although almost 15% of Caucasians are of this blood group.

Information about Rh Negative donors is vital. The Expatriate Emergency Blood Donor Committee was formed at the request of the Indonesian Red Cross for this purpose. Your chance of being called as a donor is small but those with Rhesus negative blood are encouraged to register their presence in Indonesia and their willingness to be contacted to donate blood if needed in the future.

If you are Rh Negative, please volunteer to be a standby donor for emergency use. Register with the:

Emergency Blood Donor Committee
International SOS
Jl. Puri Sakti 10
Cipete, Jakarta Selatan
For more information, call (021) 750-5980, 750-5973 or 750-6001
rh.negative@hotmail.com

or contact the

Indonesian Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service
Jl. Kramat Raya No 47
Jakarta 10450
Tel. (021) 327-711, 390-6666, 390-9259
Palang Merah website (Indonesian Red Cross)

Donating Blood through a Blood Donation Drive

Blood Drives are held by the Indonesian Red Cross, just as in other countries in which it operates to ensure the nation's blood supply. To ensure the safety and healthy conditions of the blood, as a potential blood donor you must:

• be 17-60 years old
• weigh at least 45 kg
• have a blood pressure of 100-180 (sistolic) and 60-100 (diastolic)
• sign the application form and follow a series of checks of your weight, HB, blood type, followed by a doctor's examination
• not be an alcoholic or have hepatitis, diabetes, epilepsy, AIDS risk factors, a fever or the flu.
• Potential donors cannot have had a tooth extracted in the last three days, have received a blood transfusion, tattoo or acupuncture in the last year. Nor can you be pregnant or nursing an infant at the time your donate blood.

If you pass through all of these checks, then your blood will be taken.

Donating Blood in Bali

Blood donations in Bali are organized through the Red Cross Blood Bank at the Sanglah General Hospital in Denpasar.

Especially needed is O negative blood, found in 1% of Asians and 8% of Caucasians. Please take the time to donate while visiting Bali, which can make a big difference to a Bali resident, or a visitor to the island!

Unit Tranfusi Darah Pembina PMI Daerah Bali
Indonesian Red Cross Blood Transfusion Unit for Bali
Sanglah General Hospital (RSUP Sanglah)
Jalan Kesehatan, Denpasar, Bali
Telephone +62-0361 227-224

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