Lifeline for Abu Dhabi hospitals straining to keep blood flowing

Abu Dhabi: Just one blood bank in Abu Dhabi supplies both the capital city and the Emirate's Western Region's average daily need for 150 units of blood, a consultant pathologist at the blood collection and distribution centre said.

However, Dr Maria Araneta, consultant pathologist and head of transfusion medicine services at the Abu Dhabi Blood Bank told Gulf News that on a day when there was a major surgery, such as a liver transplant, the need for blood could more than double.

"A liver transplant with a recipient and live donor requires almost 100 units, because each patient requires more than 50 units. So on those days we try to plan ahead and have enough blood available," she said.

Dr Araneta said the facility, which supplied blood to 30 hospitals in the emirate, found it hardest to get donors in the summer.

"Donors are off on holiday, and it is often difficult to maintain our minimum supply of 600 units," she said.

"I am not aware of a surgery being held up because of the lack of available blood, but we do have to run more campaigns on a daily basis to maintain the required levels," she said.

Stock renewal challenge

The doctor said the bank's stock of blood requires constant replenishment as units in storage expire after 42 days.

Currently, the bank has to collect and distribute, on average, 2000 units of blood a month.

A single blood donor could save at least three lives by donating one unit of blood — 450ml — with the blood being separated into its component red blood cells, plasma, and platelets and cryoprecipitate, doctors said.

The different components are given to recipients with specific needs.

People with conditions such as thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia and bleeding disorders regularly require blood transfusions but surgical patients, trauma victims and transplant patients also have urgent need for the vital fluid.

"We have to keep all the assorted blood groups available based on their distribution in the population. O-negative and AB-negative are the hardest to stock however because these blood types are the most uncommon," Dr Araneta said.

She also encouraged younger people to get into the habit of donating blood regularly.

Saving lives

"You can safely donate blood every two months if you fit the required health conditions. One day you or a family member might be in urgent need of it, so why not donate when you can and save lives," she said.

Donor requirements

• 18 years of age minimum
• 50 kg or more in body mass
• Generally healthy condition, with no anaemia or transmittable diseases
• Donor will have to fill a form to check eligibility
• Entire process takes roughly 45 minutes
• Source: Abu Dhabi Blood Bank

Abu Dhabi Blood Bank timings

• 7:00 AM - 8:30 PM on weekdays
• 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM on Saturday

• Closed on Fridays

In Ramadan, check your nearest mosque after Iftar for blood donation buses or call 02 656 8811 for information.

Do you donate blood? Do you know where you can donate? Are you aware of the number of people who need blood?