HMC calls on community members to donate blood

Dr. Einas Al Kuwari, chairperson, HMC’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology

Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Blood Donor Center Monday called on members of the community to become blood donors to ensure enough blood stocks in Qatar during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. As the world celebrates World Blood Donor Day on 14 June 2022, the chairperson of HMC’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Dr. Einas Al Kuwari said it was the perfect time for people to become blood donors. “For 2022, the World Blood Donor Day slogan is 'Donating blood is an act of solidarity. Join the effort and save lives' to draw attention to the roles that voluntary blood donations play in saving lives and enhancing solidarity within communities,” Dr. Al Kuwari said. “This has never been more important as we head towards the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.” Dr. Al Kuwari explained that with more than 1.5 million visitors expected in Qatar for the event, Qatar Blood Services, who operate the Blood Donation Centers, needs more donors to come forward to give blood. “This is to ensure we have adequate blood supplies on hand to not only meet our daily needs for cancer patients, trauma patients and others, but also to handle additional requirements,” Dr. Al Kuwari said. “The shelf life of blood is 42 days from the date of collection, so having a regular source of blood donations to cover this period is vital. One unit of blood donated may benefit at least three patients if used as separate blood components. “We thank our regular blood donors for their contribution. And, we are encouraging anyone who is either considering donating blood, or who has donated previously but not done so for some time, to step up, show solidarity and join the community of blood donors.” Qatar Blood Services donation centers and mobile units follow the highest standards of safety and infection control and the teams are taking extra precautions to help ensure the safety of employees and donors. Qatar Blood Services has opened a new temporary Blood Donor Center location at Bayt Al Diyafah in Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City for male donors only. Females will be able to donate at the Blood Donor Center next to the Surgical Specialty Center. “Safe blood and blood products and their transfusion are a critical aspect of care in our healthcare system. They save lives and improve the health and quality of life of many patients every day,” Dr. Al Kuwari said. “Giving blood is a simple process and takes less than one hour of your time.