10/02/2026
🩸 Blood Donation in Mauritius: A Gift of Life, Never for Sale
In Mauritius, blood is never sold or commercialised. Blood contains life itself, and trading it would be no different than trading human organs.
Illness or accidents victims and patients do not follow a calendar. Many people who have never donated blood may one day urgently need it. Blood cannot be manufactured or purchased—it comes only from generous human donors. That is why it is crucial for Mauritians to step forward and donate. One of the reasons we organized blood donation drives every year to sensitise college and universities students on the importance of blood and blood donation and we lay more stress on the impact it will have in an ageing population.
🩸🩸Every pint collected undergoes a battery of essential tests to ensure safety. These manufacturing costs—covering collection, testing, and distribution—can amount to Rs 6,500–8,500. In Mauritius, patients in government hospitals pay zero cost for blood transfusions. In private clinics, the Rs 1,500 fee does not go to Blood Bank but to the Ministry of Finance, and even then, exemptions exist for widows, senior citizens, and patients with blood-borne diseases.
👉 Regular donors who have given five times or more also benefit: they can use their donor card to waive the Rs 1,500 fee (which is the manufacturing cost is not paid in public hospital) BUT when clinics charge their patients certain amount which sometimes can be shocking (as we do almost everything) for themselves or even for their relatives. Soon, with E-Health and a mobile app, there may no longer be donor card and you will get all details on your mobile.
🅾️🅰️🅱️🆎It is also true since blood is scarce and there are are blood groups known a s negative blood groups like O Neg, A, Neg, B Neg and AB Neg, which are very difficult to obtain and we urge you if you have this unique and rare blood group to donate regularly. Do not wait for blood bank to call upon you.
💡 To put things in perspective: in Singapore, a simple blood group and Rh (ABO) test costs around S$27.25. A basic health screening package with blood tests starts from S$60 to over S$130, while comprehensive packages exceed S$350. Even a doctor’s consultation adds another S$49.05.
Here in Mauritius, your blood group is determined free of charge—a clear sign that blood donation is treated as sacred, not commercial.
Different clinics may add their own service charges, which sometimes creates confusion. But let it be clear: Blood Bank does not sell blood. It is freely given by donors voluntarily and safeguarded by rigorous testing.
⚠️ This page is managed by two staff of Blood Bank voluntarily. Blood Bank falls under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Wellness. We welcome constructive and positive dialogue, but insults, misinformation, or criticism for its own sake will not be tolerated. If you have complaints about private clinics, please direct them to the Ministry of Health.
Blood transcends all kinds of “isms” and is more sacred than anything else. When frustration or anger is vented here, it remains here—no one at the Ministry will read it. So, we ask you to be kind, courteous, and respectful. The least we can ask, as volunteers who are not paid but dedicate time to share, educate, provide information, and create awareness, (pay ads with our own money) is that you engage with dignity.
👉 Mauritius depends on its people. Your donation can save lives. Please come forward and give blood—it is the most precious gift you can offer.
Now read the article from L'Express newspaper which was published two years ago which is clear about that and which may shock you of how much certain clinics charge their patients.
Les personnes qui décident de donner de leur sang le font généralement gratuitement. Néanmoins, contrairement à ce qui se passe dans les hôpitaux, celles qui ont besoin d’une transfusion sanguine dans les cliniques privées doivent payer....
