Health
Blood Donor InformationLast Updated 11 Jan 2024
BLOOD DONOR GUIDELINES
Traditionally in North Cyprus, it is the responsibility of the patient to find friends and family to donate blood in the case of any surgery.
In emergency situations, the hospital will request blood from the State Blood Bank in Lefkosa and the patient should arrange for replacement blood to be donated by friends and family post-operation. It is not necessary to replace all the blood with the same blood group as the patient; it is the replacement of the same number of units which is important.
In the case of elective or planned surgery, it is the responsibility of the patient to arrange for donors to donate at either Girne State Hospital Blood Bank or Lefkosa State Hospital Blood Bank. The blood donor will need to state the name of the patient and the hospital they are in when they donate; this should be BEFORE the surgery is required. In this case it is preferable to find people of the correct blood group.
The main Lefkosa Blood State Bank is always short of blood. Please do not underestimate the importance of donating blood; it literally could save a life.
Please also help by informing friends and family of the need for donors and encourage them to register with us (see below).
Information on Donating Blood
In North Cyprus both sexes can donate every four months.
At the State Hospitals, the age limit for regular donors is 68; the age limit for first time donors is 65 or 67 depending on the hospital. The BRS is currently undergoing discussions with the Health Department to raise the age limit for donors.
At Private Hospitals, the age limits can vary considerably down to 60 in some cases. You should check with the hospital first.
You can donate at Girne State Hospital Mondays and Thursdays between 7am and 1pm or the Lefkosa Blood Bank Monday to Friday between 8am and 1pm. If you live to the east of TRNC you can also donate at the new Famagusta State Hospital between 9am and 2pm, Monday to Friday.
Donating blood takes approximately 20 minutes. The technician will first check your blood pressure and haemoglobin count, and provided these are within the specified health limits, you can donate.
To register with us as a donor, please use the contact page with your name, home location, mobile telephone number, email address and date of birth. If you know your blood group, please also advise then or after your donation.
Unfortunately the new Government residency on line system does not recognise blood donations made through the year as part of residency requirements, as it had done in the past for those under 60 years of age or requiring a test for other reasons.
If you have any queries, please use the contact page and select Chair to send it to.
PLEASE REGISTER AND HELP SAVE A LIFE!
