MUSCAT, MAY 20 - Donation of blood and platelets during Ramadhan is absolutely harmless and a fasting person can donate the life-saving liquid any time of the day. But due to some medical reasons and to keep the person safe, medics say that a person can take part in the life-saving mission after breaking fast. However, non-Muslims may donate blood during the day. The Central Blood Bank at Bausher is encouraging people to visit the centre to donate blood and platelets during working hours — from 8 am to 1 pm and from 7.30 pm to 11.30 pm — with an exception on Friday when the blood bank is open in the evenings.
The need for platelets, the tiny blood cells that help human body form clots to stop bleeding, in various hospitals has risen and the Bausher Blood Bank is receiving several requests for the same.
“Of late, we receive at least two to three requests for platelets every day and we face shortage of platelets. Hence, we encourage people to come forward and give blood and platelets to save a life in danger”, said a spokesperson of the Bausher Blood Bank. The blood bank is conducting mobile blood drives from 8 pm to 11 pm and as many as 30 mobile blood donation drives are lined up for the month of Ramadhan in various parts of the country. In view of the scarcity of donors, the blood bank makes it a point to collect additional amount of blood prior to the beginning of the month so that the need for blood can be met with to a great extent.
However, those who are on medicines and suffering from chronic diseases should consult their doctors from time to time before and during the fasting period according to the Ministry of Health. It recently conducted an awareness camp on rational use of medicines during Ramadhan and how to go about with fasting for people who suffer from hypertension and diabetes.
KABEER YOUSUF
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