Blood Banks Of Abu Dhabi And Al Ain Move To Replenish By The World Blood Donor Day

International Blood Donor Day themed ’Give the Gift of life: Donate Blood’ on June 14, 2013

The blood banks of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain announced a joint initiative that will last through June to encourage people to donate blood at the onset of summer and the holiday period. The two centers have noted that the UAE faces a shortage of all types of blood during the summer and holidays and hence replenishment at this time is essential. The blood banks of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain are managed by The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) - Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Services (PALMS) and they are charged with keeping supply at safe levels.

The International Blood Donor Day themed ‘Give the Gift of life: Donate Blood,’ takes place on June 14, 2013 and to mark this day, The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) has directed the two centres to step up their blood collection drive with additional centres at various locations across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. In addition to that both centres will be recognizing their regular donors and corporate supporters in both Abu Dhabi and Al Ain through a celebration of this event.

Blood donation in the UAE is a voluntary action and there can be a shortage at any time as only four per cent of the population donates blood each year. Blood is needed on a daily basis for trauma victims (accidents and burns), heart surgery, patients receiving treatment for leukaemia, cancer, thalassemia, and other diseases. One unit of blood (a pint or half a litre) can help save the lives of up to four people.

Dr. Naima Oumeziane, Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Medical Director, said: “We adhere to the most stringent international standards in the handling of blood and blood products, ensuring the highest levels of patient safety. Our center was recently accredited by the American Association of Blood banks (AABB) which is a proof of our commitment to the highest quality to our patients. Highly qualified physicians, nurses, medical technologists, phlebotomists and ancillary staff work tirelessly to make certain that the blood supply in Abu Dhabi is safe and meets the needs of the healthcare community. Our campaign around the International Blood Donor Day is in addition to our regular collection drives in the Emirate and its remote areas in order to educate and motivate the residents. There are over 200 organizations in Abu Dhabi that participate in these campaigns on a rotating basis and we are grateful for their support in this critical endeavour.”

Hamad Al Mulla, Al Ain’s Blood Bank Manager said: "We are grateful to the Police Departments, the Military, Al Ain Municipality and Al Ain Sports Club along with private sector companies and societies who are regular donors in our collection campaigns. If all eligible blood donors gave a unit of their blood at least twice a year, it would help maintain an adequate blood supply in the UAE. Our initiative makes it convenient for residents to donate blood by taking collection centres closer to them. Centres will be set up at 31 locations across Al Ain on various days and we appeal to donors to turn up in large numbers. Blood donation does no harm to the donor but it helps save precious lives.”

Al Ain Blood Bank records show an increase in the number of donors every year, rising 15 percent in 2012 from the previous year. The year also saw the implementation of an electronic system of data entry for blood donors based on 3G technology. Tawam and SKMC blood banks were the first in the region to have this advanced system of donor management.

Donors should make sure they only donate blood when in good health and wait for at least 56 days to pass after their last donation. To ensure the safety of recipients, each unit of donated blood is tested rigorously for infectious diseases to include HIV, hepatitis, and other blood transmittable infections.”

To know the schedule and to identify convenient locations of the blood collection centres in Abu Dhabi, donors can call 02 - 819 1700, and in Al Ain, donors can call toll free on 8008722.

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