DOHA: More than 189,000 blood donors have registered with Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Blood Donor Centre until this February.
The total number of registered donors of blood and blood products since January 2002 until this February-end was 189,449 and the total number of blood units drawn during the period was 144,805, according to a senior official.
About 250 donors will be honoured at HMC’s Blood Donors Recognition Ceremony on June 14, coinciding with the annual World Blood Donor Day. The event will be organised together with the Ministry of Public Health.
The theme for this year is ‘Blood Links Us All’ and the event will recognise donors and organisations that have supported blood donation efforts in the community.
Ali Abdulla Al Khater, Chief Communications Officer, Corporate Communications Department, HMC, said, “Blood donation is a noble act and it is important for our society to be aware of its importance as a means of saving the lives of sick and injured patients in need of blood and blood products.”
The centre has collaborated with the department to celebrate World Blood Donor Day by jointly organising activities through organisations, schools and youth centres within the Qatari community.
Sadiqa Al Mahmoudi, Medical Director at the centre, said blood donation is ingrained in our culture and the event is the culmination of efforts to support the centre by the wider community. “We are organising the event to honour voluntary blood donors, and recognise initiatives undertaken by individuals and institutions. This has involved campaigns and interactive programmes which helped our Blood Bank to maintain its stocks of blood and blood products.”
She said the centre is taking the lead in the voluntary donation of blood for the sixth consecutive year recording 100 percent blood sufficiency and maintaining the highest rate in the region.
“This accomplishment is added to the vital role of HMC’s Department of Medical Laboratory and Pathology, based on the national strategy of the Ministry of Public Health and HMC’s strategy to improve blood transfusion services in Qatar.”
Social and Sports Activities Support Fund and Qatar National Bank will be platinum sponsors and Alfardan Group of Companies and Qatar Gas Company gold sponsors and Qatar Petrochemical Company (Qapco) silver sponsor for the honouring ceremony.
The Peninsula
