Brazil updates blood donation rules to expand donor eligibility

The Brazilian Ministry of Health has updated regulations for blood donation to expand the pool of eligible donors and modernize clinical screening. Under the new rules, regular donors over the age of 70 may continue to donate provided they meet specific health criteria. Additionally, the waiting periods for temporary ineligibility following certain procedures have been reduced. For instance, the interval for those who have received tattoos, piercings, or certain aesthetic procedures like Botox has been shortened, and the waiting period for invasive exams such as endoscopies or colonoscopies has also decreased.

Various regional health institutions are implementing these changes and launching campaigns to bolster blood supplies. In Rio de Janeiro, the Cremerj and Hemorio are partnering for donation drives, while state legislation is being discussed to encourage donations among students aged 16 and older. In Bahia, the Hemoba foundation is deploying mobile units to various cities to increase accessibility. Other regional efforts include external collection drives by HEMOSC in Santa Catarina and MT Hemocentro in Mato Grosso to reach underserved areas and maintain essential stocks for public hospitals.