Blood donation is often portrayed as one of the most selfless acts a person can do, potentially saving multiple lives with just a single pint of blood.
Recently, a viral tweet has sparked questions about how the blood donation system actually works, leading to confusion and frustration among the public.
In a tweet that has garnered significant attention, South African Twitter user @PaulMhlongo questioned the blood donation process, calling it a “scam”.
He expressed concerns about how donated blood is sold to hospitals at high prices, while donors themselves receive no direct financial benefit—just biscuits and juice.
The tweet sparked a wider conversation on social media, with many users echoing similar concerns, while others defended the need for a sustainable blood supply system.
@Muneeb entered the conversation and said “I'm a regular donor & had this moral dilemma about it so I stopped. Not everything is about money though. Donating blood is about saving a life. Doing a good deed as a human.
“Ensuring that blood is available & usable is not cheap. After my mini-tantrum, I started donating again.”
@Bohlale Mashoene wrote: “I better get paid if you’re going to draw blood off me”.
@PetuniaAppollis wrote: “I worked for blood bank, this here was one of my duties, a report on stock to board, good and bad.
“Don't take this human act for granted, people in accidents, operations, blood transfusion are grateful to you. I too needed a blood transfusion, so I thank you donors.”
When are we going to talk about this scam? https://t.co/tCNcDp5lTp
In South Africa, blood donations are managed by organisations like the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), which is responsible for collecting, testing, processing, and distributing blood to hospitals and healthcare providers.
SANBS oversees a complex logistical network that ensures that blood is safe, available, and delivered where it’s needed.
In response to these concerns, Willem van der Merwe, Senior Specialist for Donor Relations at the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), addressed the issue directly.
He explained: “Maintaining adequate blood stocks is an ongoing challenge for many countries. In South Africa, less than 1% of the population are active blood donors. With each unit of blood lasting only 42 days after collection, it’s important for donors to donate regularly and for blood services to increase the donor pool.”
Van der Merwe further clarified one of the most frequently asked questions at SANBS: Why don’t they pay people to give blood and why do they charge for blood that was donated for free?
In the statement, Van der Merwe highlighted that SANBS is a non-profit organisation licensed to provide blood transfusion services in South Africa.
“We receive no funds or subsidies from the government and are fully funded by the fees we charge for our services”. These fees cover the high costs involved in collecting, testing, storing, and delivering blood.
“Blood is an essential but expensive resource due to the meticulous collection, screening, and testing procedures that ensure its safety for transfusion,” Van der Merwe explained.
“The money paid by hospitals goes to cover these services, which include medical expertise, advanced technology, staff salaries, and other operational costs.”
These steps are necessary to ensure that the blood is safe and available when needed. According to SANBS, the fee hospitals pay for this service is crucial to keeping the system running and maintaining a reliable blood supply.
@PaulMhlongo raised another point: Should blood donors receive free blood if they ever need a transfusion?
While this may seem like a fair request, SANBS explained that it would be nearly impossible to manage such a system.
In a follow-up statement, the organisation wrote: “The donation of blood by voluntary, non-remunerated donors is recognised globally as crucial for the safety and sustainability of national blood supplies.
Paying donors would lead to many challenges, including risks to both donors and recipients. When people donate voluntarily without expecting payment, they are less likely to lie about their medical history, which helps ensure the safety of the blood supply.”
The viral tweet has highlighted some common misconceptions about blood donation. Here are a few key points to clarify:
Blood banks do not sell blood for profit: The fees hospitals pay cover the costs of testing, processing and logistics, not the blood itself.
Blood is not “stored” indefinitely: Different blood components have different shelf lives. Red blood cells, for example, can only be stored for about 42 days, while platelets last just five days.
“This means that blood banks constantly need new donations to meet demand.
Donors are not guaranteed free blood: While it might seem unfair, providing free blood to donors would complicate the logistics of an already complex system. The goal is to ensure that blood is available when it’s needed, for everyone.
While it’s easy to see why some people might be frustrated by the costs associated with blood transfusions, it’s important to understand the full picture.
The process of collecting, testing, and distributing blood is complex and costly, but it’s essential to ensure that the blood supply is safe and available when needed.