Blood bank calls for donations as shortage looms
Call for blood donation has been intensified these days in light of the outbreak of COVID-19. Department of Blood Bank Services (DBB) has renewed its call to the donors especially for urgent operations and patients with cancer and blood diseases, as they are facing the challenge of stock shortage.
The blood bank department is encouraging the residents, except those living in Muttrah to donate blood. The reason behind Muttrah is its quarantined status as also a precautionary measure to protect the donors.
The DBBS has launched urgent donation campaign in coordination with some agencies and volunteers to avoid shortage of blood units. “The process is done by organising the donors to avoid many people coming at the same time. We have also activated appointment system via Whatsapp service (94555648) or through the phone lines of blood banks in the governorates. All such contacts have been published on social media platforms,” Dr Zainab al Araimi, Director of DBBS , said.
“The quantity of blood units needed in each bank vary according to the size of the hospital and the services it provides in the governorate. For example, the Central Blood Bank in Muscat weekly requires about 500 to 700 blood units from different categories to cover the needs in health institutions. However, the blood bank’s combined need is about 1,500 units”.
Stressing people to continue donating blood, Al Araimi stressed that blood banks needed the society’s support to provide the best services to patients so that there is no shortage of blood for blood transfusion cases.
Among the precautionary measures followed in blood banks to prevent Coronavirus transmission are: Activating appointment service for those who want to donate blood and platelets, recommending the use of preventive methods to avoid infection such as washing hands before and after donating blood, adhering to social distancing in the blood room and receiving only blood donors without company.
The blood team also ensures sterilisation of all surfaces, floors and devices used after each donation process and takes care in the movement of blood donors during the campaign to avoid crowd.
The Central Blood Bank in Muscat weekly requires about 500 to 700 blood units from different categories to cover the needs in health institutions. However, the blood bank’s combined need is about 1,500 units