An emergency blood collection service started in Singapore in 1939, due to the threat of war in the Pacific. By 1941, thousands of blood donors were registered. However, the Singapore Blood Transfusion Service (SBTS) was not formed until June 1946, after the end of the Japanese Occupation. Housed at the General Hospital in Outram Road, SBTS started off with two lady volunteers, and appointed its first full-time medical officer in 1948. SBTS operated on a basis of voluntary blood donation, and beverages like coffee, milk and beer were provided at its donation sessions. In its first year, a modest 287 units of blood were collected.
Formation of SBTS
An emergency blood collection service started in Singapore in 1939, due to the threat of war in the Pacific. By 1941, thousands of blood donors were registered. However, the Singapore Blood Transfusion Service (SBTS) was not formed until June 1946, after the end of the Japanese Occupation. Housed at the General Hospital in Outram Road, SBTS started off with two lady volunteers, and appointed its first full-time medical officer in 1948. SBTS operated on a basis of voluntary blood donation, and beverages like coffee, milk and beer were provided at its donation sessions. In its first year, a modest 287 units of blood were collected.
Early Years
Despite persuasion by community leaders like Lee Kong Chian and Tay Lian Teck, residents believed that blood donation would damage their health, and were reluctant to give blood. Hence, SBTS was highly dependant on donations from the British armed forces. In 1949, a mobile blood collection unit was formed to enable donors to give blood near their homes or at their workplaces. In 1950, SBTS began giving out certificates, badges and medals to recognise its regular donors. In the 1960s, SBTS launched many campaigns to promote blood donation. Lucky draws were conducted and free beer and cigarettes were given to donors. In addition, appeals for blood donation were made through the press, radio, Rediffusion, cinema, and television.
Later Years
In 1965, SBTS introduced a scheme of medical benefits as an incentive for regular blood donors. From 1966, an annual award presentation was held to recognise regular donors. The award was extended to organisations in 1993. In 1978, SBTS started tele-recruitment to encourage donors to continue to give blood, and to remind them of their next appointment. On 18 March 1984, the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) Blood Centre at Penang Lane was opened to assist SBTS in blood collection. On 22 April 1988, SBTS shifted to the new National Blood Centre at Outram Road. The building was equipped with advanced computerised blood management system and state of the art blood testing laboratories. In 1995, SRC Blood Centre became a fully mobile unit, complementing the role of SBTS. When SBTS came under the newly formed Health Science Authority (HSA) on 1 April 2001, it was renamed Centre for Transfusion Medicine. On the same day, the Singapore Red Cross was appointed as the National Blood Donor Recruiter by HSA.
Emergency Readiness
On 12 October 1978, an explosion on the Greek tanker Spyros at Jurong Shipyard killed 76 and injured 69. Thousands of donors came forward and SBTS collected a record 2,988 units of blood within the first three days. More than half were first time donors. During the Hotel New World disaster in 15 March 1986, SBTS operated round the clock and collected 3,054 units of blood. To ensure their emergency readiness, SBTS and the Singapore Civil Defence Force have conducted numerous national and sectoral emergency blood collection exercises since 1986.
Author
Joshua Chia Yeong Jia
References
Formation of SBTS
An emergency blood collection service started in Singapore in 1939, due to the threat of war in the Pacific. By 1941, thousands of blood donors were registered. However, the Singapore Blood Transfusion Service (SBTS) was not formed until June 1946, after the end of the Japanese Occupation. Housed at the General Hospital in Outram Road, SBTS started off with two lady volunteers, and appointed its first full-time medical officer in 1948. SBTS operated on a basis of voluntary blood donation, and beverages like coffee, milk and beer were provided at its donation sessions. In its first year, a modest 287 units of blood were collected.
Early Years
Despite persuasion by community leaders like Lee Kong Chian and Tay Lian Teck, residents believed that blood donation would damage their health, and were reluctant to give blood. Hence, SBTS was highly dependant on donations from the British armed forces. In 1949, a mobile blood collection unit was formed to enable donors to give blood near their homes or at their workplaces. In 1950, SBTS began giving out certificates, badges and medals to recognise its regular donors. In the 1960s, SBTS launched many campaigns to promote blood donation. Lucky draws were conducted and free beer and cigarettes were given to donors. In addition, appeals for blood donation were made through the press, radio, Rediffusion, cinema, and television.
Later Years
In 1965, SBTS introduced a scheme of medical benefits as an incentive for regular blood donors. From 1966, an annual award presentation was held to recognise regular donors. The award was extended to organisations in 1993. In 1978, SBTS started tele-recruitment to encourage donors to continue to give blood, and to remind them of their next appointment. On 18 March 1984, the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) Blood Centre at Penang Lane was opened to assist SBTS in blood collection. On 22 April 1988, SBTS shifted to the new National Blood Centre at Outram Road. The building was equipped with advanced computerised blood management system and state of the art blood testing laboratories. In 1995, SRC Blood Centre became a fully mobile unit, complementing the role of SBTS. When SBTS came under the newly formed Health Science Authority (HSA) on 1 April 2001, it was renamed Centre for Transfusion Medicine. On the same day, the Singapore Red Cross was appointed as the National Blood Donor Recruiter by HSA.
Emergency Readiness
On 12 October 1978, an explosion on the Greek tanker Spyros at Jurong Shipyard killed 76 and injured 69. Thousands of donors came forward and SBTS collected a record 2,988 units of blood within the first three days. More than half were first time donors. During the Hotel New World disaster in 15 March 1986, SBTS operated round the clock and collected 3,054 units of blood. To ensure their emergency readiness, SBTS and the Singapore Civil Defence Force have conducted numerous national and sectoral emergency blood collection exercises since 1986.
Author
Joshua Chia Yeong Jia
References
Allen, G. V., & MacGregor, R. G. S. (1947). The emergency blood transfusion in Singapore. Medical Journal of Malaya, 2(2), 136-147.
(Call no.: RCLOS 610.5 MJM) [Microfilm: NL10062]
Chuang, P. M. (2001, February 23). Three statutory boards get Parliament nod. The Business Times. Retrieved October 31, 2007, from Factiva database.
Health Sciences Authority. (2007). About Centre for Transfusion Medicine (CTM). Retrieved October 31, 2007, from http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/hsaportal/en/health_services/about_ctm.html
Kwa, S. B. (1989). Development of the blood transfusion and clinical haematology services in Singapore. Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore, 18(4), 490-493.
Chuang, P. M. (2001, February 23). Three statutory boards get Parliament nod. The Business Times. Retrieved October 31, 2007, from Factiva database.
Health Sciences Authority. (2007). About Centre for Transfusion Medicine (CTM). Retrieved October 31, 2007, from http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/hsaportal/en/health_services/about_ctm.html
Kwa, S. B. (1989). Development of the blood transfusion and clinical haematology services in Singapore. Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore, 18(4), 490-493.
(Call no.: RSING 610.5 AMSAAM)
National Archives of Singapore (1964, February 1). Text of speech by the Minister for Health, Mr. Yong Nyuk Lin, at the first lucky draw for blood donors for January 1964 at the Blood Transfusion Centre on Saturday, February 1, at 10 a.m. Retrieved October 31, 2007, from http://stars.nhb.gov.sg/stars/public/
Ong, Y. W. (1982). The development of blood services in Singapore. Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore, 11(3), 411-417.
National Archives of Singapore (1964, February 1). Text of speech by the Minister for Health, Mr. Yong Nyuk Lin, at the first lucky draw for blood donors for January 1964 at the Blood Transfusion Centre on Saturday, February 1, at 10 a.m. Retrieved October 31, 2007, from http://stars.nhb.gov.sg/stars/public/
Ong, Y. W. (1982). The development of blood services in Singapore. Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore, 11(3), 411-417.
(Call no.: RSING 610.5 AMSAAM )
Singapore Blood Transfusion Service. (1997). Singapore Blood Transfusion Service: 50[th] anniversary: 1946-1996. Singapore: Singapore Blood Transfusion Service
(Call no.: RSING 362.1784 SIN)
Singapore Red Cross. (2007). Red Cross Blood Donor Recruitment programme. Retrieved October 31, 2007, from http://www.redcross.org.sg/serv_bdrp.htm
The information in this article is valid as at 2007 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
Singapore Blood Transfusion Service. (1997). Singapore Blood Transfusion Service: 50[th] anniversary: 1946-1996. Singapore: Singapore Blood Transfusion Service
(Call no.: RSING 362.1784 SIN)
Singapore Red Cross. (2007). Red Cross Blood Donor Recruitment programme. Retrieved October 31, 2007, from http://www.redcross.org.sg/serv_bdrp.htm
The information in this article is valid as at 2007 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
