Dubai Blood Donation Centre holds blood donation campaign

• Requests rare and negative blood group individuals to register with the Centre.
• Encourages donors to continue donations during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
• Advocates the importance of donating blood products such as platelets.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, May 1, 2016:  Community members in Dubai, especially those who have rare and negative blood groups, are encouraged to register with the Dubai Blood Donation Centre, said a top health official.

Dr Mai Raouf, Director of the Dubai Health Authority run Dubai Blood Donation Centre said during a blood donation campaign held at the Al Yousuf group that it is important for the community to not only donate blood but also register at the centre. This is especially important for rare blood group donors.

“I would like to encourage people to put their names in our database so that we can contact them according to the demand and supply. It is important to understand that blood expires every 42 days; platelets (which are needed mainly for cancer patients and those experiencing bleeding due an accident or surgical procedure) expire in just five days. Therefore, we prefer to have regular donors who register with us and who can be contacted depending on the need of the Centre,” said Dr Raouf.

She added that in line with international standards, at all times, a certain amount of all blood and platelets are stored at the centre.

Dr Raouf was explaining the process and importance of blood donation to employees at Al Yousuf group as part of the Authority’s education and outreach efforts.

She added that in addition to blood, the Centre needs donors to donate blood products such as platelets. “People can donate blood every eight weeks, and platelets up to 24 times a year. With each blood donation, you can potentially save up to three lives. Regular blood donation takes 15 minutes, while platelet collection takes 45 minutes to one hour. Platelets have the shortest shelf life, just five days. Therefore, we need to educate people above the importance of platelet donation.”

Dr Raouf also encouraged the community to continue donating during the Holy Month of Ramadan. “The centre will be open after Iftar so that people who are fasting also have an opportunity to donate blood after breaking the fast. We will also hold regular blood donation campaigns. Each year, we find the people come forward and readily donate blood during the Holy Month and we are thankful to the community for their dedication.”

Dr Raouf highlighted DHA’s efforts to encourage blood donations and the blood donations campaigns that have taken place. 

Dubai’s previous blood campaign, ‘My Blood for My Country,’ launched by His Highness Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, helped the centre record a substantial increase in units of blood collected, following the launch of the campaign.

HH Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammad stressed on the importance of joint efforts between members of society and the private and public sector to support the noble cause of blood donation. 

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) also recently launched the ‘BE THE 1’ blood donation campaign in partnership with Real Madrid football star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Blood Donation Centre  is accredited by AABB and follows the highest level of quality standards for blood collection, processing and storage.

It is located in the premises of Latifa Hospital and individuals interested to donate blood may contact the centre on 009714 2193221. The centre also has a dedicated phone line ( 04-2193769) for donors interested in platelet donation.