Call to donate blood

There has been a general call by the Central Blood Bank, Ministry of Health (MoH) in Bausher, to donate blood to supply blood units to the hospitals.

Anyone who has not travelled outside of the country in the past four months, anyone who has recovered from Covid-19 or anyone who doesn’t suffer from flu can approach the Blood Bank and take part in the national blood donation initiative.

“We call upon all individuals, public and private organisations to come forward and donate blood to meet the need of blood units across the public and private hospitals in the country’’, said Dr Zainab bint Salim al Araimi, Director of Blood Banks Services at the Ministry of Health.

Organisations and their members have been requested to register for blood donation. A booking before blood donation is important to follow Covid-19 protocols.

“Any individual or organisation can take part in a blood donation camp in consultation with the Bausher Blood Bank. We welcome such initiatives’’, she added.

She said many organisations are coming forward to organise blood donation camps and support the initiative.

Several members of the World Malayali Federation (WMF) and the general public took part in the blood donation camp organised by the federation recently.

Amit Narang, the Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman, inaugurated the campaign and offered support to the humanitarian initiative. Ullas Cheriyan, the organisation’s global coordinator, welcomed the enthusiasts. Ammujam Raveendran, Regional Coordinator, facilitated the campaign in liaison with the Blood Bank.

Sunil Kumar, National President, Rajan Kokkury, Babu Thomas, Ansar Jabir, Biju Thomas, Jiji Thomas, Moidu Vengatt, Shaikh Rafeeque, and Lijihas Hussain led their respective teams to the campaign. Ashwathy from Nizwa and Rajan from Suhar mobilised the donors to Bausher Blood Bank.

A large number of women and youngsters volunteered to donate blood. More associations and alumni organisations are in touch with the Blood Bank to organise blood donation camps.

According to Blood Bank sources, 600 to 700 blood units are needed per week while the supply is less. The supply has come down by 40 per cent. The shortage is likely to continue due to the pandemic. Many people are not turning up to donate blood due to reasons like positive for Covid-19 or apprehension of contracting the virus if they are exposed to medical facilities or instruments. These fears, however, are unfounded.