Dubai: To deal with the potential decrease in the number of blood donors during the month of Ramadan, the Ministry of Health encourages UAE nationals and residents to donate blood.
Anticipating a decline in the number of donors who observe fasts, the ministry aims to educate the public that donating blood during the month of fasting is safe and, in the religious context, rewarding.
Speaking to Gulf News, Dr Ameen Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practice and Licensing at the ministry and Head of the UAE National Blood Transfusion Committee, said that the number of blood donors tends to drop by 20-30 per cent during Ramadan.
He explained that Muslims who are fasting can safely donate blood at any time during Ramadan, but the ideal time is post-iftar. “If the donor is a healthy person and doesn’t suffer from any underlying medical conditions, he can safely donate blood during the fasting period. However, the recommended time to donate is after iftar. A person donating blood during the period of the fast may experience dizziness or weakness.”
Dr Al Amiri added that medically there is no difference in the blood whether the donor is fasting or not.
Gulf News spoke to a few regular donors in the UAE to learn about their views on donating blood during Ramadan.
Emirati Abdul Rahman Ebrahim, a professional in the social services department of the Sharjah Government, said he donated blood during Ramadan three years ago. “I may donate this year, but after I break my fast.”
Jordanian Ebrahim Abdullah, who works in after sales, has been donating blood for the past 15 years in Jordan and the UAE. He said, “I know donating blood is safe during Ramadan, but it so happens that Ramadan tends to fall in the months that I have to wait till my next donation.”
Egyptian Mohammad Mansour, a senior relations officer at Commercial Bank International in Dubai, said that he will be donating blood this month. “It will be my 41st time. I have donated several times during Ramadan. Some centres are not open before iftar, so I go after.”
To help maintain a healthy donor number, the ministry announced Ramadan working hours in the Sharjah Blood Transfusion and Research Centre, beginning 8am till iftar, and from 8.30p.m. till midnight Saturday to Thursday. The centre is responsible for providing blood units and components for 43 government and private hospitals in the UAE.
The centre also organises blood donation campaigns every day in mosques in collaboration with the Sharjah Islamic Affairs and Endowment Department, Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Welfare and Ajman Islamic Affairs and Endowment General Authority.
