UAE, June 18, 2017 - The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), represented by the Sharjah Blood Transfusion and Research Centre, commemorated World Blood Donor Day under the theme ‘give blood , give now , give often.’ It held a special event to honour regular blood donors and supporters of blood transfusion services which was attended by H.E. Dr. Hussein Abdul-Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary of MOHAP’s Health Centers and Clinics Sector; Safia Al Shamsi, Director of Laboratories and Blood Bank; and Mona Sulaiman Al Ali, Managing Director of the Sharjah Blood Transfusion and Research Centre.

Donors were presented with gifts during special blood donation campaigns held at various mosques in Sharjah over a period of four days. The campaigns further encouraged people to become blood donors in support of the Sharjah Blood Transfusion and Research Centre’s efforts to prompt more community blood donations and provide safer methods of blood transfusion through the use of the latest technologies in the field. 

Dr. Al-Rand noted that the UAE celebrates World Blood Donor Day annually to honour regular donors and raise awareness about the importance of providing safe blood transmission methods to accident victims and patients with conditions such as thalassemia and anemia. The event was also organized to support the strategic blood banks of different hospitals in the UAE, in adherence with the Ministry’s initiative to enhance blood transfusion services according to the best medical practices. This will help the Ministry achieve its goal of providing the community with distinguished health services according to the highest international standards.

Dr. Al-Rand explained that the Sharjah Blood Transfusion and Research Centre is taking great strides in its efforts to encourage more people to become regular blood donors. He shared that one in four people that are brought to hospitals are in urgent need of blood, signifying that the demand for blood is increasing, and surpassing the rate at which it is being collected. “Our biggest priority is to ensure that blood is being collected as quickly and as safely as possible. We are committed to ensuring the health and safety of the community, and encourage every individual to motivate one another to achieve this goal,” he said.

Al Shamsi noted that the Sharjah Blood Transfusion and Research Centre regularly organizes campaigns to encourage blood donations. She said that due to the growing demand for blood, there is always an urgent need for donors who can help save the lives of thousands every year through either regular or emergency donations. She also encouraged donors to help raise awareness on the growing demand for blood, while encouraging others to donate and take part in the campaigns. A single unit of blood, she pointed out, can contribute to saving three to five lives.