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Dubai hospitals face shortage of blood

DUBAI — An increasing number of accident cases during Ramadan and an annual seasonal lull has led to severe blood shortage in Dubai hospitals, said a senior official on Monday.

The Trauma Centre at Rashid Hospital and the Thalassemia Centre are the hardest hit by the shortage, said Dr Laila Al Shaer, Head of the Dubai Blood Donation Centre (DBDC) while urging people to step forward and donate blood during the holy month. “This year, both summer and Ramadan have overlapped due to which we are facing a severe shortage,” she said, adding that demand was far more than the current supply. “Demand is the highest at the trauma centre owing to a large number of accidents occurring during the Iftar rush,” she said.

She also said that regular patients at the Thalassemia Centre, too were having to wait for transfusions. “Since emergencies are top priority, they are the first preferences during shortages followed by Thalassemia patients and then elective surgeries that can be delayed,” added Dr Laila.

The DBDC provides blood and its derivatives to 27 government and private centres all over the UAE. The centre fulfills 50 per cent of UAE’s blood needs, said Dr Laila, adding that five other centres also collect blood.

According to the official, the DBDC had started an educational campaign to urge people to donate before summer. “It worked for a while but we need a lot more.”

On a daily average, the centre needs between 100-150 units of blood to meet the shortage during summer when most residents are travelling. 
However, 150-200 units are needed the year out. “There is always some backup but we cannot put the shortage into numbers.”

Dr Laila also allayed concerns of possible health issues caused by donating blood during Ramadan. “People can donate after the fast is over and taking enough liquids will not affect their health,” she said.

“This is the month of giving and people should come up and donate blood,” she added. A total of 32,808 units of blood were donated to the DBDC, according to statistics, of which 22,581 units were collected through 357 donation campaigns, while the remaining 10,227 units of blood were collected at the centre directly.

Today, the Ministry of Health is also launching a blood donation campaign at mosques in Dubai with the collaboration of the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities. People can call 04-2193221 for queries on blood donation and timings during Ramadan.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com