Test ensures safe blood transfusions

Dubai To ensure blood transfusion safety, the Sharjah Blood Transfusion and Research Centre at the Ministry of Health (MOH) emphasised the importance of the West Nile Virus (WNV) test for blood donors.

The WNV, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is a potentially serious illness. It is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito and in a very small number of cases, spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants, breastfeeding and even during pregnancy from mother to baby.

Dr Amin Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practices and Licensing at the MOH and Chairman of the National Blood Transfusion Committee said that that the procedure is in line with the mandate of the American Association for Blood Banks (AABB) to ensure blood transfusion safety and apply all the necessary blood tests in all blood transfusion centres worldwide.

He said, the procedure has been implemented since last June at the Sharjah Blood Transfusion Centre, especially on routine blood tests to guarantee that the units are safe and free of infectious diseases.

Dr. Al Amiri explained that the ministry included this test as part of its concern to prevent the dissemination of viral infections that can be transmitted among donors especially those coming from countries that are inhabited with insects and maybe carriers of this virus. It is integral to ensure the blood’s safety by following adequate and modern medical tests.

The Sharjah Blood Transfusion and Research Centre takes necessary precautions to apply modern technologies and international procedures that support the safety of blood donors and blood component recipients.