Ministry launches blood donation drive

Dubai: The Ministry of Health has launched a blood donation drive with the help of imams during Ramadan to help tackle the expected shortage of blood during the summer holidays.

Imams have been asked to mention the campaign during the late night Taraweeh prayers in Dubai mosques and appeal to the charitable spirit of Muslims during the month of fasting.

The UAE stopped importing blood since 1985 and now largely depends on blood donors within the country.

Dr Laila Al Shair, head of the Blood Donation Centre at Al Wasl Hospital, earlier told Gulf News that donating blood while fasting is not harmful. The human body has about 6 litres of blood and donating a pint does not make a difference and moreover it is replenished very quickly. A donor can easily donate blood four times a year, she had said.

Those fasting are advised to avoid eating junk food, follow a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, avoid oily foods, eat plenty of vegetables and get proper sleep in the night.

The UAE is the first Arab country to have strategic blood stocks of more than 3,000 units to support emergency cases through the Blood Transfusion Centre in Sharjah, said Dr Ameen Al Amiri, executive director for medical practices at the Ministry, in a statement.

Dubai collects about 35,000 units of blood every year (one unit is 450ml), about half the total amount collected across the UAE. Dr Al Amiri said there has been an increase in the number of donors.

According to last year's figures, about 80,000 units have been collected from 83 nationalities.