Dubai Health Authority staff take part in blood drive

Dubai: Senior officials and employees from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) donated blood and pledged their solidarity toward the humanitarian cause at the blood donation drive which took place at its headquarters on Sunday.

Khalid Al Shaikh Mubarak, Deputy Director-General of the DHA, who is a regular blood donor and has been visiting the Dubai Blood Donation Centre every four to five months, for the last six years to donate blood said, "The process of donating blood takes only 15 minutes and it is a very important contribution towards society as donating blood helps save lives. It is the responsibility of every individual to protect their community members through such voluntary blood donations.

"The noble gesture demonstrated by our Ruler, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, sets an example for all of us to follow."

Dr Laila Al Shaer, Director of the Dubai Blood Donation Centre, said following the recent visit from Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the centre already received more than 1,000 units.

"We would like to educate the community that since blood is a product that has a limited shelf life and expires within a maximum of 42 days we need regular blood donations. We recently experienced a shortfall, which is an obstacle facing all the blood banks in the world and in Dubai this shortfall can occur after the holiday season and in the summer months. Therefore, we want to educate our community members to regularly donate blood. Blood is a product which cannot be bought or imported, therefore the only way is through sustained blood donations.

"The vital message which we want to give out to the community members, especially with regard to less common blood groups such as O-ve, is that we would like to have members register with us, so that we can call them depending on the supply we have. This is because blood has a limited shelf life."

Al Shaer said that the of the total blood collected in UAE, the centre collects 50 per cent, which is substantial amount and is possible because of the dedication of the community members. She said 45 per cent of this blood is used for Thalassemia patients and 27 per cent is used for trauma patients.

Al Shaer said in 2010, the centre was able to collect 32,808 units of blood, the highest collection as compared to other blood banks across the UAE. Of this, 22 581 units of blood was collected through the 357 campaigns held in 2010. The remaining, 10,227 units of blood were collected at the centre.

The DHA blood donation centre is located in the premises of Latifa Hospital and individuals interested in donating blood may contact the centre at 04 2193221 or alternately they may contact the DHA toll free number 800 342.