Plan to study dangers linked to transfusion

Dubai: Senior GCC health officials will study of infectious diseases transmitted through blood transfusions during a two-day meeting here, it was announced yesterday.

The meeting will examine the best practices of blood transfusion among the Gulf States, said Nasser Khalifa Al Budoor, director of external relations at the Ministry of Health.

The Gulf Blood Transfusion Committee also discussed newer and safer ways of transporting blood within the Gulf states, a ministry release said.

Reference model

"Thanks to the UAE's initiative in raising and improving health standards, blood transfusion services in the UAE have become a reference model to researchers in the Eastern Mediterranean region," said Dr Ameen Al Amiri, executive director for medical practices and licenses at the Ministry, and Chairman of the higher national committee for blood transfusion services.

He said the meeting will focus on research on the various types of bacterial and viral diseases which are transmitted through blood transfusion.

Dr Al Amiri said the International Day for Blood Transfusion which will be held in June later this year will concentrate on encouraging the youth to donate blood. Officials said the committee will organise training programmes across the Gulf in blood transfusion.

The UAE has been recognised as a regional hub for blood transfusion services and was the first Arab country to host the celebration of the World Blood Donor Day.

Hospitals in UAE in the recent past faced shortage of blood and doctors say one unit of blood donated can save up to three lives.