BAHRAIN’s main blood bank is urging donors to come forward to help it keep pace with growing demand.
The Central Blood Bank at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) also caters to three other government hospitals and 18 private hospitals, explained its head Fakhriya Abdulrahman.
It has a database of 20,000 volunteer donors and conducts up to 17 blood donation camps every month, but a rising population means there is always need for more.
“The statistics show an increase in the number of donors each year, but still we need more donors – as we cover the blood needs for all the government hospitals and 18 private hospitals,” she said.
“There is a huge demand for blood simply because the population is growing.
“Luckily, we have a massive database - as high as 20,000 people, all volunteers.
“But we still need more people to come forward to donate, as not everyone who registers is eligible to donate.
“Some may be on medication and others may have a disease.
“We do tests according to procedure and filter donors.
“So even if we have tens and thousands on the database, we may still need more as we have to be ready always – being the central point for blood requirements in the country.
“Our target is 20,000 units of blood annually and each year we reach close to this number.”
Last year a total of 19,546 units of blood were collected, up from 18,837 in 2017.
A total of 148 blood donation camps took place in 2018 in collaboration with public and private organisations.
In the first five months of this year, around 8,700 people have donated blood.
“Bahrain is one of the developed countries in the field of blood donation in the region,” Ms Abdulrahman told the GDN ahead of World Blood Donor Day, which falls tomorrow.
She revealed that donated blood has a lifespan of 42 days, but not a drop was wasted in Bahrain.
“With the kind of demand that we have in the country, we are never wasting any – as we use it way before the 42-day lifespan,” she said.
“We must not forget that there is always a major demand for blood from the SMC itself for its oncology centre, the sickle cell disease and thalassemia centres.”
Donors with O+ blood are in highest demand, with 49.6pc of the population in that blood group.
That is followed by B+ (22.2pc), A+ (17.8pc), AB+ (3.18pc), O- (3.7pc), A- (0.87pc) and AB- (0.26pc).
Any healthy adult aged 18 to 60, weighing at least 52kg, can donate blood. Those with chronic disease are unable to do so and donors must first pass a medical at the blood bank before they can give blood.
“There is a culture of blood donation among members of society – both expats and Bahrainis – which is a good sign, as blood donation is a noble gesture,” said Ms Abdulrahman.
“We ensure safety of blood and blood products and make sure we are ready to face any such needs during accidents or disasters.”
The blood bank also collects blood platelets through a process that separates cellular and soluble components of blood from a single donor.
This contributes to the process of blood clotting in patients suffering from blood cancer and other conditions.
“This modern technology allows the separation of platelets by five to six times more than the traditional blood donation unit and benefits the patient better,” said Ms Abdulrahman.
“Last year we collected more than 16,000 units.”
raji@gdn.com.bh
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