Encourage young donors: promote blood donation among youth population
The Portuguese Blood and Transplant Institute (IPST) has launched a campaign to encourage young people aged 18-30 to donate blood between August 11th and 16th, as part of International Youth Day celebrations. This initiative, in collaboration with MOVY, aims to counteract a trend of decreasing blood reserves during summer months and to rejuvenate the donor panel in Portugal. However, the Federation of Voluntary Blood Donors (Fepodabes) has voiced concerns about the campaign.
Alberto Mota, a representative of Fepodabes, has accused the IPST of having "two weights and two measures" by allegedly privileging younger donors with material incentives, such as offering a voucher for a night in a Youth Hostel. Mota does not accept the IPST's attitude towards the right to a day off, which was withdrawn from blood donors in 2011.
Fepodabes has delivered a petition, signed by approximately 7,600 citizens, to the Assembly of the Republic, calling for the restoration of the right to exemption from service on the day of blood donation. The organisation criticises the IPST for continuing without a strategy to increase blood reserves and make donors regular, despite being responsible for approximately 65% of blood collections in Portugal.
The IPST, however, denies having "two weights and two measures" and emphasizes its rigorous adherence to non-remuneration of blood donation, complying with European directives to ensure the safety of blood components. The organisation regrets and rejects the Federation's statements regarding the campaign.
The IPST is focusing on addressing blood shortages, particularly in regions with greater need for blood components, such as Greater Lisbon and the Algarve. The campaign is another initiative to promote and contribute to the rejuvenation of the donor panel in Portugal.
Fepodabes emphasizes the importance of respecting donors' rights and ensuring donor-friendly policies, such as a day off on donation days to help maintain adequate blood supply and donor accessibility. While the exact criticisms of the campaign by IPST and MOVY are not explicitly detailed in available sources, Fepodabes' stance on providing a day off for blood donors is known: they support that blood donors should receive a paid day off to encourage and facilitate blood donation.
As the campaign continues, both organisations are encouraged to work together to address concerns and ensure the safety, fairness, and effectiveness of blood donation initiatives in Portugal.
- Despite the IPST's campaign to rejuvenate the donor panel by offering incentives to younger donors, Fepodabes argues that it is essential to respect donors' rights, such as the right to a day off on donation days, to maintain an adequate blood supply and donor accessibility.
- The IPST's focus on addressing regional blood shortages, alongside rejuvenating the donor panel, highlights the need for science-based health-and-wellness policies that prioritize donor wellbeing and ethical practices, as advocated by Fepodabes.
