Forum: Recognising and appreciating blood donors key to sustaining supply
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We thank Ms Ng Cheng Hoon for her letter “Incentivising blood donation raises ethical concerns” (April 17). We appreciate her commitment to preserving the altruistic nature of blood donation, which remains at the heart of Singapore’s National Blood Programme.
Blood donors have always been appreciated through various non-financial modalities such as presenting tokens of appreciation to donors who achieve milestone donations at World Blood Donor Day celebrations.
This approach aims to sustain the culture of giving by acknowledging donors’ valuable contributions to the community. The introduction of Healthpoints is an extension of this same spirit of appreciation. These donor recognition initiatives are consistent with the World Health Organization’s definition of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation.
The Health Sciences Authority and the Singapore Red Cross remain fully committed to ensuring donors give blood in the spirit of doing good and saving lives.
William Sim
Division Director, Blood Services Group
Health Sciences Authority
Prakash Menon
Group Director, Blood Donor Programme
Singapore Red Cross
