MUSCAT, JUNE 9 - Oman’s Central Blood Bank in Bausher is expecting a sharp decline in the number of donors during the 5-day Eid holidays starting June 14, resulting in a steep fall in the stocks, it is learnt. Accordingly, all citizens and expatriates have been urged to donate blood and platelets before the Eid holidays and save lives. “Although smaller surgeries would be postponed, emergency surgeries would need blood and platelets.
We need to keep sufficient stock without which emergency management would be difficult”, said a source at the Bausher Blood Bank.
Usually, fewer number of people turn out to donate blood during the holy month and that has considerably impacted the stock.
To meet the normal demand, the blood bank conducts mobile blood drives from 8 pm to 11 pm every alternate night.
There has been a good response to these camps conducted across the country.
In view of the scarcity of donors, the bank makes it a point to collect an additional storage of blood prior to the beginning of the month so that the need for blood can be met to a great extent.
“Of late, we receive at least two to three requests for platelets every day and there is a scarcity for platelets.
Hence, we encourage people to come forward and give blood and platelets to save a life in danger”, said a spokesperson from the Bausher Blood Bank. He further said that any fasting person can approach the Blood Bank after iftar.
Non-fasting people can also step in any time during the working hours and donate blood. After Ramadhan, the working hours are from 8 am till 1 pm and from 7.30 pm to 11.30 pm with an exception on Fridays when the centre is open in the evening.
Any healthy adult, not suffering from any chronic diseases, can donate blood and platelets at the Bausher Blood Bank and at the various blood donation camps across the country. However, those who are on medicines should consult their doctors from time to time before donating and during the fasting period, according to the Ministry of Health.
KABEER YOUSUF
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