National Blood Centre calls for blood donations

COLOMBO (News1st): The National Blood Centre has called for blood donations after a decrease of blood was recorded in the national blood reserve, owing to the current situation concerning COVID - 19. A special hotline number, 0115 332153, has been introduced for donors to make an appointment and to avoid overcrowding during blood donation. Those who have fever and have returned from overseas within the past three months cannot donate blood, Lakshman Edirisinghe, Director of the National Blood Centre, said. "Those whose family members had returned from overseas during the past one month cannot donate blood either," he noted adding that blood donation will be limited to ten individuals per hour. The places at which blood could be donated will be announced shortly.