40% DIP IN BLOOD DONORS DURING RAMADAN: MOH

Blood banks will remain open for extended periods to get donations from potential donors

Times News Service

MUSCAT:

After Oman’s Ministry of Health recorded a drop of nearly 40 per cent in blood donors during Ramadan, plans are underway to increase the number of donation campaigns in the holy month to cover the shortfall.

In a statement, the ministry said: “During the holy month of Ramadan, people fasting cannot donate blood, and many may be busy in the evenings. For these reasons, blood banks usually face a decline in the number of donors during the holy month. The number of donors goes down by up to 40 per cent.”

The ministry added: “The Department of Blood Bank Services (DBBS) will increase the number of donation campaigns to meet the daily need for blood and its components. Health institutions will need a large number of blood donors daily.”

In the evenings, blood banks will be open from 7.30pm to 11.00pm for the duration of the holy month, in addition to the morning from 8am to 1pm. The allotted time for donating platelets will be from 7.30pm to 10pm.

The DBBS said the blood donation campaigns would run from May 20 to June 10 from 8pm to 11.30pm in mosques, shopping

centres and markets in Mabela, Al Khuwair, Bausher, Al Amerat, Azaiba, Al Khoud, Mawaleh, Muttrah and Ruwi.

Dr. Mohsin Al Sharyani, Head of Donors Affairs in the Ministry of Health, said: “Anyone who is in good health and feeling well, above the age of 18 and fulfils the donor selection criteria, and does not weigh less than 50kg, is eligible to donate blood.”

Donors must bring their resident or identity card with them and the process will take 30 minutes with 450ml of blood drawn from each donor.

“However, there are conditions that can lead to temporary or permanent deferral if we think the donor health or blood safety is at risk,” he said.