MUSCAT: The Central Blood Bank in Bausher has issued an urgent appeal to donors to come forward and donate blood units. The demand for blood has increased due to a decline in donations during the summer months.
The Department of Blood Banks Services (DBBS) released a statement calling on individuals to contribute and save lives. "There is a shortage of blood units due to a decrease in donors during the summer. We urge everyone to donate blood during this time," the statement read.
Anyone who is meeting the eligibility can donate blood from 8 am to 8 pm, from Saturday to Thursday, and from 8 am to 2 pm on Friday at the Bausher Blood Bank.
One can call or whatsapp 94555648, or dial 24591255 and book a slot for them and take part in the national blood donation drive.
According to Ministry of Health statistics, the demand for blood units per day in all the hospitals and clinics is around 140 units whereas the average supply in other months stands at 100 units and there is an increase of nearly 40 per cent.
On an average basis, the demand for blood and its components has been steadily rising from 10 per cent to 15 and in the recent past, it has jumped four fold, according to the CBB.
The cases that require blood units or one of its components are mostly surgery cases, RTA (Road Traffic Accidents), other accidents related to workplace/home, malignant blood diseases, bone marrow failure, some cases of genetic blood diseases, some cancerous tumours, and in some cases of childbirth.
"More blood donation camps need to be organised, and some are organised by the DBBS itself while some are in cooperation with private organisations," a representative of the Blood Bank told the Observer.
The Department raised the voluntary blood donation rate to 96 per cent at the level of the central blood bank, in addition to increasing the number of collected blood units to 14 per cent last year compared to the previous year.
In addition, the Department organised many blood donation campaigns in cooperation with different authorities. In 2022, it conducted more than 350 blood donation campaigns.
"However, the demand for blood units is steadily rising owing to many factors," he added.
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