National Blood Transfusion Service
Blood Safety
NBTS is responsible for the safe collection, processing and distribution of blood and blood products in Jamaica.
Safety first
Protecting donors and patients.
The safety of the blood supply begins with donor screening. Potential donors are interviewed by trained and qualified staff about personal and medical history, current health and behaviour. Honest and accurate answers are essential.
Donations are collected using sterile blood collection packs. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic to reduce the possibility of introducing bacteria, and each blood donation is tested before use.
Each donation is screened for:
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Human T-lymphotropic Virus (HTLV)
- Syphilis
Donor safety matters too. A new needle is used for every donation, and the needle is destroyed after use.
Date modified: 2026-07-05