Eligibility Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old to donate blood in Namibia.

You must be in good health, weigh at least 50 kilograms (110 lbs), and have a body mass index (BMI) of 19 or less.

Maximum amounts that may be donated

A person can donate up to 450mls of whole blood every 56 days, which is around 16% weight. You can also donate platelets and plasma. Please note that you cannot donate blood plasma more than twice a year.

Intervals between donations of blood products

• Whole blood donation: Once every 56 days
• Plasma donation: Every seven days
• Platelet donation: Every 30 days

Whole Blood – 450mls every 56 days.

You can donate whole blood every 56 days. You can donate a maximum of 450mls in one donation, which is equivalent to 1 pint (16 ounces).

Plasma – 460mls every 7 days.

Plasma is a fluid that is part of the blood and makes up about 55% of the blood volume. It contains proteins such as albumin and immunoglobulins (antibodies), besides other compounds, minerals, and water. Plasma can be separated from the blood through a process called plasmapheresis, in which whole blood is drawn out of the body and its components are separated into plasma and platelets or red blood cells.

Plasma is used to treat many diseases including haemophilia A and B, burns, as well as some cancers such as multiple myeloma.

PC – 6% of body weight every 56 days.

When donating whole blood, you can donate up to 10% of your body weight. This is called a “single donation” and should be done every 56 days. Your body will replace the red blood cells within 24 hours so this is safe for most people. If you are anaemic or have any other condition that makes it dangerous for you to donate blood, let us know beforehand so we can find another way for you to help! If you have already donated once and want more information about how many times per year you can donate whole blood, please contact us at [email protected].