The new blood donation site is the first one in Abu Dhabi to be launched in Al Ain Mall to make donating blood more convenient for the Al Ain community

Abu Dhabi, March 07^th, 2022:  Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Services (ADBBS), overseen by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH) and managed by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), has announced the opening of a new blood donation collection site at Al Ain Mall. 

Operational every Friday from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the new Blood Donation Collection Site will be available to UAE citizens and residents in Al Ain for a one full year. The site, which can receive up to 50 donors per day, will be managed by an expert medical team comprising of a general practitioner, medical laboratory technician, nursing staff, and a donation assistant. 

Elaborating on the importance of this new collection site, Dr Marwan Ali Al Kaabi, SEHA Acting Group Chief Operations Officer, said: “According to the World Health Organization, 90% of people who are eligible to donate blood are currently not doing so. One unit of donated whole blood can save up to three lives and we truly believe that improved access to donation services through the new site will boost the number of blood donations. We hope this is a positive step forward in improving access for donors while simultaneously enhancing awareness regarding blood donation, among the local community.” 

Backed by SEHA, the collection site will follow the highest quality standards to ensure maximum donor safety. ADBBS upholds the highest quality and safety standards as demonstrated by its recent accreditation by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). The official endorsement recognizes ADBBS’ adherence to the most stringent international standards in the handling of blood and blood products, and to ensuring the highest levels of patient and donor safety. 

Speaking about the importance of regular blood donations, Dr Huda Khalfan Al Shamsi, Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Services Director, said: “Blood banks serve a pivotal role in saving countless human lives, but we can’t do this if we do not have enough blood supply to cater to the vast number of patients in need of it. This is why blood banks are always in need of fresh blood to donate. We hope that the improved access through this new site will help further stabilize the ADBBS blood supply and fulfill the needs and requirements of Al Ain’s hospitals and community.” 

Speaking towards what this partnership means to Al Ain mall, Ahmed Al Kasem, Head of Human Resources & Public Relations at Al Ain Mall, said: “We are passionate about giving back to the community and this recent partnership is our way of creating a positive impact. Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Services are leaders of blood donation in the Al Ain region, and we consider it a privilege to be able to partner with them for such a noble cause.”