Over 200 people donated blood following an urgent message from the Central Blood Bank, which said that it is still in dire need of donors to save the lives of many patients.
In response to the need for more than 500 blood donors this week to meet the demands of health institutions, several corporate houses and organisations announced campaigns for blood donations on Tuesday.
"Blood donation facility should be activated in health centres in all governorates to make it easier for donors to donate blood," said a citizen, who finds it difficult to visit the main blood bank.
Some citizens and residents also suggested extended hours at blood banks to help office-goers to make donations either before or after work.
Making a desperate call, the blood bank has urged all citizens and residents to take the initiative and continue to donate blood.
“Generally, blood banks face difficulty in providing negative blood types. If your blood type is negative, do not delay to donate, and remember that there are many who are in need of your blood donation," the Central Blood Bank said.
An official at the blood bank said: “We can collect 500 units of blood within two days, and I am sure that the community will respond. We are facing a fall in number of blood donors and in donation campaigns, and we urge the community to help restore the stockpiles to normal. One person's donation saves many lives.”
Allaying any fears about blood donation, the Central Blood Bank said that around 450 ml of blood is collected from the donor, which represents a small proportion of the blood in a person’s body (approximately less than 10 per cent of the donor’s blood volume).
“As the average adult has about 5 litres of blood. The entire blood donation process takes about half an hour, but the actual blood donation takes five to 15 minutes."
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