United Arab Emirates, Dubai, May 30, 2018:  The DHA-run Blood Donation Centre is encouraging donors, especially those with rare blood groups to continue donating during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Dr Mai Raouf, Director of the Dubai Health Authority run Dubai Blood Donation, said: “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 also hold regular blood donation campaigns.

Each year, we find that people come forward and readily donate blood during the Holy Month and we are thankful to the community for their dedication.”

She said the centre is open from 8 pm to 1 am from Sunday to Thursday during the Holy Month.

“During fasting hours it is not recommended to donate blood but after Iftar it is safe and we encourage people not to consume very heavy or fatty meals before donation.

After donation they need to replenish the body with fluids and lights snacks which we offer at the centre.”

Dr Raouf was recently elected as International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) Director, Eastern Mediterranean Region for the period 2018  to 2022.

Dr Roauf, said: “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 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.

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.

Platelet collections are vital and needed by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Since platelets are blood cells critical to stop bleeding, these are also used in life-threatening bleeding situations, post-surgery or after accidents.

Dr Raouf encouraged donors to download the DAMI blood donation app for their convenience. 

The Centre regularly organizes mobile blood donation camps.

“Our mobile units go to mosques, ministries, universities and companies,” said Dr Raouf.

“Our regular donors are generous and come whenever we request them.

For other donors our message is that they should come forward and donate blood, it is a safe process and it saves lives.

As a community we need to recognize that blood is necessary to save lives, it is a constant need and that donating blood is a humanitarian deed.

The Holy month of Ramadan is a wonderful time to become a donor.  

We assure donors that the centre has high quality standards so they need not worry.”

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.