Singapore is changing the rules on who can give blood.

From 2026, first-time donors will be allowed to step up even at age 65 - a move aimed at tackling falling donation rates and rising demand.

This is according to Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, who announced the policy change at a World Blood Donor Day event held by the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

But can this shift make a real difference? And what does the data really say about older donors? We dive into the numbers and the policy behind the change.

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Christine Cheung, Associate Professor of Vascular Biomedicine, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at NTU to find out more. 

Singapore is changing the rules on who can give blood.
From 2026, first-time donors will be allowed to step up even at age 65 - a move aimed at tackling falling donation rates and rising demand.
This is according to Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, who announced the policy change at a World Blood Donor Day event held by the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).
But can this shift make a real difference? And what does the data really say about older donors? We dive into the numbers and the policy behind the change.
On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Christine Cheung,&nbsp;Associate Professor of Vascular Biomedicine, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at NTU to find out more.&nbsp;

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.

In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore&rsquo;s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.
In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station.

MONEY FM 89.3

Your evening guide to the day's most important topics — navigate the key events in politics, business, markets, wealth management, and top investment opportunities. Keeps you informed and ahead of the curve, daily.

Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian (4pm - 7pm)

The Big Story: Singapore's Blood Crunch - Can raising the first-time donor age limit help?

Fuel shortages across Asia are prompting governments to take drastic steps, from four-day work weeks to school closures, all aimed at reducing energy consumption.

But how effective are these measures really? And could Singapore ever consider similar policies if the crisis worsens?

On The Big Story, Nadiah Koh speaks with June Goh, Senior Oil Market Analyst, Sparta Commodities,to find out more.

Fuel shortages across Asia are prompting governments to take drastic steps, from four-day work weeks to school closures, all aimed at reducing energy consumption.
But how effective are these measures really? And could Singapore ever consider similar policies if the crisis worsens?
On The Big Story, Nadiah Koh speaks with&nbsp;June Goh, Senior Oil Market Analyst, Sparta Commodities, to find out more.

The Big Story: Asia is cutting work weeks, closing schools to save fuel - Should Singapore consider this too?

A Barcelona fan missed a Champions League match after following his GPS to the wrong stadium. Instead of Newcastle’s St James’ Park, he ended up at St James Park in Exeter and watched a completely different football game instead.

Meanwhile, an Australian fashion designer named Katie Perry has finally won a nearly two-decade legal battle against pop superstar Katy Perry over the right to use the name for her clothing brand.

On What’s Trending, Nadiah Koh and Alexandra Parada unpack the GPS mix-up and the unusual name dispute between a small business owner and a global pop star.

A Barcelona fan missed a Champions League match after following his GPS to the wrong stadium. Instead of Newcastle&rsquo;s St James&rsquo; Park, he ended up at St James Park in Exeter and watched a completely different football game instead.
Meanwhile, an Australian fashion designer named Katie Perry has finally won a nearly two-decade legal battle against pop superstar Katy Perry over the right to use the name for her clothing brand.
On What&rsquo;s Trending, Nadiah Koh and Alexandra Parada unpack the GPS mix-up and the unusual name dispute between a small business owner and a global pop star.

What’s Trending: There are two Katy Perrys…? And a GPS sent one fan to the wrong football game

Global financial markets are currently facing a complex mix of uncertainty and opportunity. Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have pushed energy prices higher, adding pressure to an already delicate inflation outlook. At the same time, central banks are carefully balancing the need to control inflation with the possibility of shifting monetary policy as economic conditions evolve.

Meanwhile, Asia continues to stand out as a key engine of growth, particularly as artificial intelligence and technology-related investments accelerate across the region. These forces are creating both risks and potential upside across asset classes—from equities and bonds to commodities and alternative investments.

Which industries may benefit from current trends, and which areas could face challenges? And how can investors position their portfolios to stay adaptable in a rapidly changing environment?

On Wealth Tracker, Nadiah Koh speaks with Ecaterina Bigos, CIO for Core Investments in APAC ex-Japan at BNP Paribas Asset Management, to find out more. 

Global financial markets are currently facing a complex mix of uncertainty and opportunity. Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have pushed energy prices higher, adding pressure to an already delicate inflation outlook. At the same time, central banks are carefully balancing the need to control inflation with the possibility of shifting monetary policy as economic conditions evolve.
Meanwhile, Asia continues to stand out as a key engine of growth, particularly as artificial intelligence and technology-related investments accelerate across the region. These forces are creating both risks and potential upside across asset classes&mdash;from equities and bonds to commodities and alternative investments.
Which industries may benefit from current trends, and which areas could face challenges? And how can investors position their portfolios to stay adaptable in a rapidly changing environment?
On Wealth Tracker, Nadiah Koh speaks with Ecaterina Bigos, CIO for Core Investments in APAC ex-Japan at BNP Paribas Asset Management, to find out more.&nbsp;

The Big Story: Singapore's Blood Crunch - Can raising the first-time donor age limit help?

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