Work

“Blood Has No Colour”: Racialized Donor In/Ex-clusion in the South African National Blood Service

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Accounting for challenges with HIV transmission and testing, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) transitioned toward eliminating race as a risk categorization in 2005 and actively recruiting black donors. I trace the racialization and nationalization of blood through an analysis of this transition, outreach efforts, and data from fieldwork with blood donors and SANBS staff. I examine indexicality as a semiotic means of in/ex-clusion in blood donation. Due to the sociocultural and medical significance of blood, an ethnographic account of blood services provides insights into biological citizenship and the dynamics of justice and reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa.

Source: Medical Anthropology

DOI: 10.1080/01459740.2023.2187295

Author: Emily Avera

Institution: Colgate University

Language: English

Topic: Blood donation and transfusion practices

Subfield: Management of Technology and Innovation

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Science Foundation, Brown University, Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences