The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and Singapore Red Cross held an emergency blood exercise on Sunday, to test their preparedness to meet a surge in national blood demand during a civil emergency.

The one-day intensive blood collection exercise was held at Bloodbank@HSA at Outram Road, Bloodbank@Dhoby Ghaut, Bloodbank@Woodlands and Bedok Community Centre.

The exercise aimed to ensure that staff are trained to deal with an emergency blood collection campaign, and to stress-test systems in handling a surge in blood collection, processing and distribution activities. It also aimed to raise public awareness of blood donation.

The emergency exercise scenario was an industrial accident during peak hours, with many casualties requiring intensive blood support.

The Singapore Red Cross deployed about 100 volunteers in triaging, donor care and crowd control while HSA's Blood Services Group ramped up its blood collection, testing and processing capacities.