Can you donate blood?
Most healthy adults can. This guide covers every requirement used by the Central Blood Bank of Bahrain, aligned with AABB and ISBT international standards.
هل يمكنك التبرع بالدم؟ تغطي هذه الصفحة جميع متطلبات بنك الدم المركزي في مملكة البحرين.
Quick eligibility check
Answer five questions to get an instant result. The Central Blood Bank will conduct a full clinical screening upon arrival.
I am between 18 and 60 years old.
عمري بين 18 و60 سنة.
My weight is at least 50 kg (110 lbs).
وزني لا يقل عن 50 كيلوجرام.
I am feeling healthy today — no fever, cold, infections, or illness.
أشعر بصحة جيدة اليوم — لا توجد حمى أو نزلة برد أو التهابات.
I have not donated blood in the last 90 days.
لم أتبرع بالدم خلال الـ 90 يومًا الماضية.
I do not have any permanent disqualifying conditions (HIV, active hepatitis, certain cancers, etc.).
لا أعاني من أي حالات تمنعني من التبرع بصورة دائمة.
Basic requirements
All criteria must be met on the day of donation.
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 to 60 years |
| Weight | At least 50 kg (110 lbs) |
| Health | In good health on the day of donation |
| Cooldown | Not donated in the last 90 days (whole blood) |
| Haemoglobin | ≥ 12.5 g/dL (screened on arrival) |
The 90-day rule
Whole blood donors must wait 90 days (13 weeks) between donations. This allows your body to fully replenish red blood cells and iron stores. Platelets and plasma have shorter intervals — check with CBB directly.
يجب على المتبرعين بالدم الكامل الانتظار 90 يومًا (13 أسبوعًا) بين كل تبرع وآخر، للسماح لجسمهم بتجديد خلايا الدم الحمراء ومخزون الحديد بالكامل.
Temporary deferrals
These conditions prevent donation for a limited time. After the deferral period, you are welcome to donate again.
| Condition | Wait period |
|---|---|
| Fever / infection / illness | Until fully recovered (min. 7 days) |
| Cold or flu symptoms | Until 7 days symptom-free |
| Antibiotic course | Until 7 days after completing course |
| Dental procedure (minor) | 24 hours |
| Dental extraction / oral surgery | 7 days |
| Tattoo or piercing | 12 months (if done in unregulated setting) |
| Pregnancy | 6 months after delivery / end of breastfeeding |
| Travel to malaria-endemic area | 12 months after return |
| Malaria infection | 3 years after full recovery |
| Minor surgery | 6 months |
| Major surgery / blood transfusion | 12 months |
| COVID-19 (symptomatic) | 14 days after full recovery |
| COVID-19 vaccination | 48 hours (if no side-effects) |
| Fasting (Ramadan / religious) | Postpone donation — donate after breaking fast |
Permanent disqualifiers
The following conditions permanently prevent blood donation to protect both donor and recipient safety.
- HIV / AIDS
- Hepatitis B or C (active or carrier)
- Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV)
- Chagas disease
- Babesiosis
- Leishmania (visceral)
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) or variant CJD
- Most blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma)
- Unexplained weight loss or persistent night sweats
- Intravenous drug use (current or past)
This list is not exhaustive. The Central Blood Bank medical team makes the final eligibility determination.
Blood type compatibility
Who can receive your blood? ABO + Rh compatibility determines which patients you can help.
| Your blood type | Can donate to |
|---|---|
| O− | O−O+A−A+B−B+AB−AB+ |
| O+ | O+A+B+AB+ |
| A− | A−A+AB−AB+ |
| A+ | A+AB+ |
| B− | B−B+AB−AB+ |
| B+ | B+AB+ |
| AB− | AB−AB+ |
| AB+ | AB+ |
Day-of-donation checklist
Follow these steps for a safe, comfortable donation experience.
Sleep at least 7 hours the night before
Eat a nutritious meal — avoid fatty foods within 3 hours of donation
Drink plenty of water (at least 500 ml extra)
Wear a short-sleeved or easily rolled-up sleeve
Bring your CPR / national ID
Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before donating
Do not donate if fasting (e.g. Ramadan) — wait until after you break your fast
What happens at the blood bank
The entire process takes about 45–60 minutes. The actual blood draw is just 8–10 minutes.
Registration
Show your CPR/ID. Complete a brief health questionnaire.
Mini health screen
Blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and haemoglobin (finger-prick) are checked by CBB staff.
Donation
The actual blood draw takes 8–10 minutes. You donate approximately 450 ml.
Recovery & refreshments
Rest 10–15 minutes. Enjoy light refreshments provided by the blood bank.
Post-donation care
Avoid heavy lifting for 4 hours. Keep the bandage on for 4 hours. Hydrate well throughout the day.
Legal note
Blood donation in Bahrain is strictly voluntary. Commercial or paid donation is prohibited by Bahraini law. Eligibility decisions are made exclusively by the Central Blood Bank of Bahrain at the time of donation, in accordance with AABB and ISBT international standards. This platform does not replace medical screening.
يُعدّ التبرع بالدم في مملكة البحرين طوعياً بالكامل، ويُحظر التبرع المدفوع بموجب القانون البحريني. تُتخذ قرارات الأهلية حصراً من قِبَل بنك الدم المركزي في البحرين وقت التبرع، وفقاً للمعايير الدولية لـ AABB وISBT. لا تحلّ هذه المنصة محلّ الفحص الطبي.
Sources: Central Blood Bank of Bahrain · AABB Technical Manual (21st ed.) · ISBT guidelines · WHO Blood Safety fact sheets. المصادر: بنك الدم المركزي في البحرين · دليل AABB الفني · إرشادات ISBT · منظمة الصحة العالمية.