Over 80,000 donors respond to life-saving call in 2022
WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY CELEBRATED
Published: 06:06 PM,Jun 14,2023 | EDITED : 10:06 PM,Jun 14,2023
MUSCAT: According to the Ministry of Health figures, in 2022 over 80,000 individuals responded to the call for life and humanity by donating blood in both government and private blood banks.
These figures coincide with the Sultanate of Oman's commemoration of World Blood Donor Day which falls on June 14 every year and aims to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation in saving lives.
Dr Zainab al Araimi, Director of the Blood Banks Services Department, Ministry of Health, highlighted the increase in the number of blood units by 21 per cent compared to the previous year, with a total of 79,706 units collected from the Ministry of Health's blood banks.
The Blood Banks Services Department received 42,122 blood component donations and conducted 364 blood donation campaigns, with 43 per cent of donations occurring during campaign and 57 per cent at the Central Blood Bank building.
Dr Zainab emphasised that voluntary blood donation accounted for 97 per cent of the total donations, with 77 per cent of donors being Omani citizens.
Additionally, 51 per cent of the new donors contributed to the overall number. As of now, the Central Blood Bank in Bausher has collected 18,028 blood units in the current year.
The Ministry of Health's Directorate-General of Specialised Medical Care, represented by the Blood Banks Services Department, encourages individuals to donate blood to ensure a safe supply for healthcare institutions.
The ministry also stressed the importance of plasma donation, which comprises approximately 55 per cent of blood and plays a crucial role in treating various diseases and medical conditions.
Plasma-derived products, such as immunoglobulins, are utilised to enhance the immune system and prevent/treat infections. Clotting factors and albumin derived from plasma are employed to promote blood clotting and restore blood volume, respectively, benefiting patients with conditions like haemophilia, burns, shock, or liver disease.
Dr Zainab highlighted the conditions for blood donation, including age between 18 and 65 years, a minimum weight of 50 kg, normal blood pressure, normal haemoglobin levels, honest answers to the donation questionnaire, and no contraindications for donation.
The World Health Organization acknowledges the challenges faced by blood services worldwide in providing sufficient quantities of safe blood.
Particularly in low- and middle-income countries, the availability of safe blood and its derivatives affects all patients, especially those requiring regular blood transfusions. The organisation aims to assist these countries in improving the availability and quality of human plasma, optimising its use, and enhancing access to life-saving plasma protein therapies.
These figures coincide with the Sultanate of Oman's commemoration of World Blood Donor Day which falls on June 14 every year and aims to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation in saving lives.
Dr Zainab al Araimi, Director of the Blood Banks Services Department, Ministry of Health, highlighted the increase in the number of blood units by 21 per cent compared to the previous year, with a total of 79,706 units collected from the Ministry of Health's blood banks.
The Blood Banks Services Department received 42,122 blood component donations and conducted 364 blood donation campaigns, with 43 per cent of donations occurring during campaign and 57 per cent at the Central Blood Bank building.
Dr Zainab emphasised that voluntary blood donation accounted for 97 per cent of the total donations, with 77 per cent of donors being Omani citizens.
Additionally, 51 per cent of the new donors contributed to the overall number. As of now, the Central Blood Bank in Bausher has collected 18,028 blood units in the current year.
The Ministry of Health's Directorate-General of Specialised Medical Care, represented by the Blood Banks Services Department, encourages individuals to donate blood to ensure a safe supply for healthcare institutions.
The ministry also stressed the importance of plasma donation, which comprises approximately 55 per cent of blood and plays a crucial role in treating various diseases and medical conditions.
Plasma-derived products, such as immunoglobulins, are utilised to enhance the immune system and prevent/treat infections. Clotting factors and albumin derived from plasma are employed to promote blood clotting and restore blood volume, respectively, benefiting patients with conditions like haemophilia, burns, shock, or liver disease.
Dr Zainab highlighted the conditions for blood donation, including age between 18 and 65 years, a minimum weight of 50 kg, normal blood pressure, normal haemoglobin levels, honest answers to the donation questionnaire, and no contraindications for donation.
The World Health Organization acknowledges the challenges faced by blood services worldwide in providing sufficient quantities of safe blood.
Particularly in low- and middle-income countries, the availability of safe blood and its derivatives affects all patients, especially those requiring regular blood transfusions. The organisation aims to assist these countries in improving the availability and quality of human plasma, optimising its use, and enhancing access to life-saving plasma protein therapies.