Emergency stockpile at BB ‘stable’

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 22: Reliable health sources reassured that the emergency stockpile at the Central Blood Bank and its branches is “stable”, confirming the daily stock disbursed to hospitals is at “safe” levels despite the “need for negative blood types, which are rare due to genetic factors, reports Al-Qabas daily.

The same sources stated the need for blood donors from the negative blood groups, affirming the importance of periodical donation by those from the negative group and others, and also donating throughout the week to ensure the sick and injured people in hospitals and the specialized centers are saved in a short period of time.

They pointed out that the regular donation of blood by citizens and expatriates contributes to ensuring a safe stockpile, especially during emergencies.

They stated the need to change the concept of the necessity of donating at the time of the bank’s need or lacking specific blood groups, as donation is important at all times and throughout the year- bearing in mind that blood has validity date of 35 days, and accordingly, the need for donors.

The sources clarified that doctors conduct medical examination on the donor to ensure safety and compliance with the conditions of donation in order not to harm the patient, noting the body can replace the volume of donated blood within a few hours by taking fluids, while blood cells are compensated within 3-6 weeks from the date of the blood donation.