UAE | Health
Thalassaemia centre braces for annual shortage of blood supplies
The only thalassaemia centre in the UAE is bracing for an annual shortage of blood supplies come summer even as the country hosts the global celebrations of World Blood Donor Day.
- By Nina Muslim, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:11 June 4, 2008
Dubai: The only thalassaemia centre in the UAE is bracing for an annual shortage of blood supplies come summer even as the country hosts the global celebrations of World Blood Donor Day.
Thalassaemia, a genetic blood disorder affecting five per cent of the local population, is characterised by the breakdown of oxygen-rich blood cells.
Sufferers require frequent blood transfusions to ensure normal development and survival.
World Blood Donor Day celebrations, the first to be held in the UAE and the Arab world on June 14, will be marked by a month-long blood drive campaign and other events.
However, officials at the Dubai Thalassaemia Centre fear the expected surge of blood donations will not be enough for their needs.
"We need more than donated blood [in the blood bank]. We need a continuous supply and donors [we] can call when we need them," said Dr Essam Dohair, haemoglobinopathy specialist at Dubai Thalassaemia Centre.
"Some patients need an exact match because they are receiving lots of blood ... continuously. If they get blood from different donors with different blood [properties], their bodies can develop antibodies, allergies and reject the blood," he added.
He said shortage of blood supplies for their patients usually occur in summer, when UAE residents go overseas to escape the heat, and during the fasting month, which falls in September this year. About 20 patients at the centre, located in the Al Wasl Hospital compound, require exact blood matches.
The Dubai Thalassaemia Centre receives its blood supplies from the Dubai Blood Donation Centre, run by the Department of Health and Medical Services [Dohms].
Other hospitals in the Northern Emirates receive their blood from the Ministry of Health. Doctors treating thalassaemia patients there have also reported similar shortages.
Dr Fatima Sajwani, specialist haematologist at Qasimi Hospital, previously told Gulf News she has had to delay blood transfusions for patients because she could not find an exact blood match for them.
"Sometimes, I have to postpone by a week to wait for a suitable donor," she said. However, Dr Ameen Al Amiri, responsible for Blood Transfusion and Research Services at the Ministry of Health, denied there was a shortage of blood for thalassaemia patients.
"There is no shortage for thalassaemia patients [but] we should always ask for more because of the rate of population increase and more trauma cases," he said.
He added the Sharjah-based centre collected 80,000 units of blood each year, with 32.5 per cent of donors comprising Emiratis.
Latest news
- Sharjah boy tops Indian board's class 12 exams
- Dubai number plates auction raises Dh27m
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince visits Islamic centre
- Smart e-Gate system launched
- Cyber infidelity creeping out of virtual domain
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
