Singapore faces a looming blood supply crisis. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) warns demand could outstrip supply within seven years. Youth donations have dropped sharply, from 20,000 to nearly 9,600 in a decade.
To address this, Singapore now awards Healthpoints for blood donations, redeemable for MediShield Life premium discounts or e-vouchers. This approach aims to preserve altruism while boosting supply, countering the risks of exploitation seen in paid plasma systems in the U.S.
Professor Julian Savulescu of the National University of Singapore argues this is a right step. Modern screening ensures safety, and Singapore's social safety net prevents coercion. Properly regulated incentives can save lives without compromising ethics.