OSI Uribe of Osakidetza and the Basque Centre for Transfusion and Human Tissues (CVTTH) have initiated a collaboration for plasma collections at Urduliz Hospital. The aim is to bring the donation point closer to residents of the Uribe region and reduce their travel. Since this collaboration began in 2024, 99 donations have been made by 60 donors.
This initiative is part of a European project to promote plasma donation, seeking to increase self-sufficiency and encourage both the number of donations and donors. Currently, in Euskadi, there are approximately 3,000 plasma donors who donate twice a year. Osakidetza aims to reach 20,000 annual donations, requiring around 5,000 regular donors making an average of four donations per year.
Plasma has numerous therapeutic applications. It is used for direct transfusions in patients with certain conditions, such as liver diseases, severe burns, or those undergoing transplants. Under strict quality and safety standards, the CVTTH distributes this plasma to hospitals when needed. Furthermore, plasma is essential for manufacturing medications like immunoglobulins and albumin, used in treating immunodeficiencies, neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, or hemophilia.
The main requirements to be a plasma donor are good general health, being between 18 and 65 years old, and weighing over 50 kg. Plasma donation in Euskadi is performed using a technique called plasmapheresis, which allows for the extraction of 600 to 750 ml of blood serum in less than an hour. Unlike conventional blood donation, plasma can be donated once a month, up to 12 times a year.
The next plasma collection dates at Urduliz Hospital are September 14th and October 19th. To attend, it is necessary to book an appointment through the Osakidetza website or by calling 900 30 34 04 at the CVTTH.
Currently, the authorized centers for plasma donation within Osakidetza are: in Bizkaia, Urduliz Hospital, San Eloy Hospital, the Basque Centre for Transfusion and Human Tissues at Galdakao University Hospital, Durango-Landako Health Centre, and Bombero Etxaniz Health Centre. In Gipuzkoa, the Eibar Hospital, Arrasate Health Centre, and Donantes de Sangre Gipuzkoa in Donostia. In Araba, the sole center is the Olaguibel Health Centre in Vitoria-Gasteiz.
