The Minister of Health, Manuela García, unveiled at Son Espases University Hospital a mobile and interactive robot created to inform and encourage the public to donate blood, breast milk and umbilical cord blood. The initiative comes from the Blood and Tissue Bank of the Balearic Islands (BSTIB).
García emphasised the innovative nature of the project, noting that it will “help reach new audiences and make it easier for more people to learn about and participate in such an essential and generous act as blood donation”. She was accompanied by Son Espases hospital manager Cristina Granados and BSTIB manager Rosa Maria Tarragó.
The robot features autonomous navigation, a touchscreen, a synthetic voice and presence-detection sensors that allow it to move safely in hospital environments. After starting at Son Espases, it will also travel to Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera to support special awareness campaigns.
TDB keeps you informed. Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Its functions include greeting users, detecting passersby, displaying videos and educational content, providing practical information on how and where to donate, guiding interactive surveys and redirecting users to the BSTIB appointment website. It can switch between Spanish and Catalan.
According to the BSTIB, this is the first initiative of its kind in Spain, and there is no evidence of similar projects elsewhere in Europe.
Key figures from the BSTIB
In 2024, the Balearic Islands achieved blood component self-sufficiency for the sixteenth consecutive year. A total of 1,299 donation drives were held across 237 locations, encouraging 21,054 people to donate; 2,793 were first-time donors (+13.1 %). In total, 35,997 blood donations were collected.
The average donor is 45 years old, with a nearly even gender split: 51 % women and 49 % men. The most common blood group is O+.
The Tissue Bank also reached a third consecutive record: around 1,800 patients benefited from osteotendinous implants. In addition, 137 corneas were distributed and 64 units of cord blood were collected. The Breast Milk Bank received donations from 83 donors, totalling 506 litres for premature infants.
Figures for 2025 are expected to remain stable.
Donation saves lives
Blood donation supports emergency care, surgeries, cancer treatments and chronic patients who depend on regular transfusions. One donation can help up to three individuals.
Breast milk donation is essential for premature babies, while cord blood donation provides stem cells used to treat hematological and immune disorders.
Those interested in donating can contact the BSTIB via 971 764 433, www.donasang.org or atencioaldonant@fbstib.org.