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Mobile blood donation unit inaugurated

DUBAI — A state-of-the-art mobile blood donation unit, the first of its kind in Dubai, was launched on Sunday. The mobile unit, sponsored by the Al Baraha Quran Recitation Centre, is an air-conditioned bus fitted with latest blood collection equipment and comfortable donor couches. The unit was inaugurated by Khalid Al Shaikh Mubarak, Deputy Director General of the Dubai Health Authority.

The unit has four blood donation beds, four couches in the waiting area, blood storage units and a separate room to check the blood pressure, cholesterol and haemoglobin levels of donors prior to the donation.

The bus is the first mobile blood collection unit for the Dubai Blood Donation Centre (DBDC), which is the only central blood donation centre for Dubai. It supplies blood to 27 private and government hospitals in Dubai.

“This mobile unit will encourage more people to come forward and donate blood as the blood donation centre will now reach the door-step of donors to collect blood. It is a convenient option for reaching far off places within the Emirate of Dubai,” said Shaikh Mubarak. He added that the DBDC conducts regular blood donation camps and that the mobile unit will enhance the collection.

Dr Laila Al Shaer, Director of the Dubai Blood Donation Centre at the DHA said, “The benefit of the mobile unit is that it will double the units of blood collected at every donation camp as we will simultaneously collect blood on location and also use the vehicle to collect and store blood.” She highlighted that almost 40 to 45 per cent of the blood received is used for Thalassemia patients. In addition, the DBDC supplies blood to road accident and burn victims at the Trauma Centre in Rashid Hospital; to Al Wasl Hospital, mainly for patients who have maternity health complications; to Dubai hospital, mainly for patients diagnosed with cancer or scheduled for open heart operations as well as to all private health facilities within Dubai that are entitled to conduct transfusion.

“At the moment, we have sufficient blood supply but we will need more blood units in future and thus we need to encourage people to come forward and donate blood. This is especially important in the summer months when there is a drop in the blood collections,” said Al Shaer. She also highlighted the need for people to donate blood plasma and platelets. “While people are aware of the need to collect whole blood, we need to create awareness of the need to donate plasma and platelets. The process for collection of blood products is the same, except, collection of blood products takes 45 minutes as opposed to collection of whole blood which takes only 10 to 15 minutes.”

She mentioned that platelets are very important for patients who have undergone cancer treatment because they suffer from a sudden drop in the platelet count.

The DHA blood donation centre is located in the premises of Al Wasl Hospital and individuals interested in donating blood may contact the centre at 04-2193221. Alternately, they may contact the DHA toll free number, 800 342.

Blood donation drive

The Indian Business and Professional Council of Sharjah, in association with Association of Kerala Medical Graduates (AKMG Emirates) and Blood Transfusion and Research Department of Ministry of Health in Sharjah will be holding a blood donation camp on Tuesday.The drive is scheduled between 10am and 4pm at the India Trade and Exhibition Centre next to Sharjah Expo. More details can be obtained from the IBPC office by phone on 06 5304404 or email at ibpc@eim.ae.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com