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Combating Covid-19: Health authorities in UAE urge residents to donate blood, save lives
The daily collection of units at Abu Dhabi Blood Bank has halved following the implementation of social distancing norms.
- PUBLISHED: Wed 8 Apr 2020, 4:00 PM UPDATED: Thu 9 Apr 2020, 7:42 PM
There's a steep drop in blood donations due to Covid-19 restrictions, prompting health authorities to urge residents to donate blood and save lives.
The daily collection of units at Abu Dhabi Blood Bank has halved following the implementation of social distancing norms and cancellations of blood donation drives.
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"There is a drop in blood donations. We need at least 100 donors a day to cover the needs of patients in Abu Dhabi. However, since past two weeks, we are collecting half of what we used to collect," Dr Naima Oumeziane, medical director, Abu Dhabi Blood Bank, told Khaleej Times.
The Abu Dhabi Blood Bank serves 45 private and public hospitals in Abu Dhabi and thereby needs a "continuous supply" of donors. Blood donors help patients of accident cases, vital operations, emergencies, life-threatening conditions and so on.
Dr Naima underlined that the Abu Dhabi Blood Bank is taking all safety measures at its facility and donors needn't be scared. Donors are asked to go through the sanitisation tent. They have to wash hands with soap before and after making donation. As a safety measure, they will be asked additional information. Also entry to donor's room will be restricted to a particular donor only.
"Abu Dhabi Blood Bank is taking all the precautions to assure the safety of the donors. We do follow social distancing. We do extra cleaning and decontamination of all surfaces."
Dr Naima encouraged residents to come forward and donate blood and contribute to the UAE's public healthcare sector during this crucial time.
Those who wish to donate at Abu Dhabi Blood Bank in Al Khalidiyah can make appointments on 028191770 or 028191769. Additionally, those in Al Ain can donate form their homes by calling at 037074191 or 037074567.