More than 342,480 patients have benefited from blood donation points located in shopping centers across Peru, according to a March 30 announcement by the Ministry of Health. Since their introduction in 2020, these collection sites have gathered a total of 114,160 units of blood.
The initiative currently operates with twelve collection points distributed between Lima Metropolitan area and regions such as Arequipa, Piura, Cusco, Huancayo, and Cajamarca. The goal is to make voluntary blood donation more accessible for the public.
Minister of Health Juan Carlos Velasco said: “We work in partnership with private companies to bring hospital Blood Banks closer to shopping centers. People are indeed supportive but needed donation opportunities to be brought closer.”
The Ministry reminds citizens that donating blood is safe and voluntary and helps address emergencies, surgeries, cancer treatments, and other health conditions. The agency encourages people to join this effort and help strengthen the culture of donation nationwide.
Eligibility requirements for donors include being between 18 and 65 years old (up to age 60 for first-time donors), weighing more than fifty kilograms, being in good general health, having an identification document on hand, and not having had recent surgery.
Several locations are available for those wishing to donate. In Lima Metropolitan area: Rambla San Borja Shopping Center (Monday through Saturday), Real Plaza Centro Cívico (Monday through Friday), Open Plaza Atocongo (Thursday through Saturday), Minka Shopping Center (Thursday through Saturday), and Real Plaza Primavera on specific dates throughout March. Regional sites include Real Plaza Arequipa on Fridays; multiple locations throughout Piura during different weeks each month; Real Plaza Cajamarca on Saturdays; Parque Huamamarca in Huancayo on Mondays; and San Antonio collection point in Cusco.
