You Are Serb? You Can’t Give Blood to Croatians!

The doctor said I can’t give blood because how would a person who needs a transfusion feel if he knew it was Serb blood, the donor said.

SIBENIK, CROATIA - A 50-year-old Serbian citizen who is on holiday in Croatia’s Sibenik heard on the radio that the local hospital was lacking blood for transfusions, so he decided to help and donate his blood. The hospital tested his blood and prepared him for a donation. And then the problem arose, the donor says.

- When I said I was from Serbia, the doctor paused and left somewhere, probably to consult somebody. When she returned she told me she cannot take my blood because how would a person who needs a transfusion feel if they knew the blood was Serbian. She was kind about it, but I left the hospital in complete shock – the donor says and wonders what does it matter whose blood it is, especially at a time when hospital reserves are empty and every drop of that precious liquid is valued in gold.

Director of Sibenik’s hospital, Dr. Zeljko Buric, could not believe the story when we asked him for a comment. He called us back ten minutes later, offering an explanation.

- It is true that the gentleman came to donate blood where, as the transfustion department head explained to me, he was kindly told that only Croatian citizens are allowed to give blood, according to the law. Unfortunately, that is the way it is – Dr. Buric said.