“As a way of also thanking and recognising blood donors and the people who make themselves available to do so, the Liberal Initiative presented a proposal precisely to express this gratitude. A person who donates blood twice a year is entitled to one extra vacation day; if they donate more than three times, they are entitled to two vacation days,” explained the president of IL, Mariana Leitão, in statements to journalists.

The liberal leader was speaking to the press after donating blood at the Lisbon Blood and Transplantation Centre, with MP Joana Cordeiro and some other members of the delegation.

Recognising the importance of donations

The aim of the proposal is to “create recognition” and “raise awareness of the importance of donating blood”, thereby increasing the number of daily donors needed.

When she entered the centre, Mariana Leitão already had a small registration form with general information and some data she had filled out regarding her health, as well as recent behaviours and trips.

After going through the donor registration desk, she went to the screening area, where she waited a few minutes until she reached the donation area. The process lasted about 15 minutes. At the end, Mariana Leitão, who said she was not new to this practice, recounted the experience for those who might be afraid.

"Anyone can come here, and I'm sure that in 15, 20 minutes, between registration, donating blood, they're done, and then they even get some snacks and juices to recover," she replied, adding that "the needle isn't that big" and the gesture "saves lives."

Different projects

When asked why IL abstained in the past on similar proposals from BE and PAN, Mariana Leitão replied that these are different projects. According to the liberal president, the initiatives of these parties aimed at firing the worker on the day of the donation.

“We opted for another solution because we think it makes more sense, because if everyone in a company is going to donate blood on the same day, it certainly creates an additional problem for companies,” she argued.

Complying with applicable rules

The IL proposal establishes that the scheduling and enjoyment of additional vacation days “comply with the applicable labour regulations and depend on the presentation of a supporting statement issued by the responsible public body.”

Daily need for blood

In statements to journalists, the president of the Portuguese Institute of Blood and Transplantation (IPST), Maria Antónia Escoval, stressed that Portugal needs 1,100 units of blood and blood components daily in hospitals.

Women can donate blood every 4 months, and men every 3, with blood components having expiration dates.

“Therefore, we need regular and continuous donations over time,” she warned.

According to the professional, blood donation in the country is currently "stable," but Maria Antónia Escoval encouraged regular donors to go to a centre before the summer holiday period.

Blood donation is permitted from the age of 18 to 70, provided the person is healthy.

The gesture, the official stressed, can "objectively save three lives."

"The IPST sends a message to the donor, by email with the results of the tests, and by SMS when the unit is distributed to a hospital, and that is extraordinarily reassuring," she praised.