SINGAPORE, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Singapore will raise the upper age limit for first-time blood donors to 65 from 60, effective Jan. 2 next year, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said.

Under the new rules, first-time donors will be allowed to give blood up to one day before their 66th birthday, while repeat donors may continue donating until age 75, the HSA said in a statement on Monday.

"With our aging population, it is crucial that we tap into every safe opportunity to expand our donor pool while maintaining the highest safety standards for both donors and recipients," HSA Chief Executive Officer Raymond Chua said.

Data from HSA based on donors up to the current age limit of 60 show that adverse reactions decline with age, a trend consistent with findings from international studies, the authority said.

Singapore needs to maintain a minimum blood stockpile of nine days to ensure emergency preparedness, the HSA noted. ■