Qatar citizens and residents are being encouraged to donate blood this Ramadan.

Giving blood is safe and hygienic, according to Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), at both its Blood Donor Centers and two Ramadan mobile units in Souq Waqif and Msheireb Downtown Doha.

Why it’s important to donate blood

One out of every 10 patients admitted to hospitals may be in urgent need of a transfusion of blood or blood products, and there are many patients whose lives depend on blood and blood products transfusions. The unit of blood donated may benefit at least three patients if used as separate blood components.

HMC Urges Public to Join Blood Donation Drive 3Patients who might benefit from the donation are many, including victims of road accidents, victims of other accidents and burns, patients with different types of cancers, patients with blood disease or bleeding problems, pregnant or post-delivery mothers, and many others.

According to HMC Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Chairperson Dr Einas Al Kuwari, giving blood saves lives. She said that the blood you give is a lifeline to many patients in an emergency and for people who need long-term treatment, for example, cancer patients.

We need new donors from all backgrounds to ensure there is right and safe blood available for patients who need it.

She added that you can make a real difference in someone’s life this Ramadan. However, people who are fasting are advised to wait after Iftar to donate blood. People who are not fasting can donate between 8 am until 1 pm.

Dr Al Kuwari assured the public that giving blood during COVID-19 is safe and hygienic.

We can also assure all members of the public that giving blood is safe and they should have no concerns about donating. Our teams at Qatar Blood Services have stepped up precautionary measures to ensure that every blood donation is safe during the pandemic.

All donors are asked to show their Ehteraz app, undergo a checkup and triage – body temperature check and asked about their recent travel history. The Blood Donation Centers as well as the mobile units are regularly cleaned and go through stringent disinfection of all surfaces and equipment. COVID-19 tests are not required for donors to donate blood.

The Blood Donor Center next to Hamad General Hospital is open Sunday to Thursday from 8 am to 1 pm and from 6 pm to 12 am, and on Saturdays from 7 pm to 12 am. It is closed on Fridays. The New Blood Donor Center opposite the Outpatient Department next to the Surgical Specialty Center meanwhile, is open from 6 pm to 12 am, Sunday to Thursday. It is open on Saturdays from 7 pm to 12 am and closed on Fridays.

The Souq Waqif mobile unit and the Msherieb mobile unit are both open Sunday to Saturday (including Friday) from 8 pm to 12 am.

HMC Urges Public to Join Blood Donation Drive 1

Are you qualified to donate? 

To donate blood, a donor must be a healthy adult, at least 18 years old, with no significant chronic illness or previous infections. The donor’s body weight must not be less than 50 kg and haemoglobin level not less than 13 g/dl for male and 12.5 g/dl for female. On the day of the donation, the donor must be free of symptoms from fever and coughs or any other infection and must have adequate hours of sleep.

Those who have taken the COVID-19 vaccination can donate three days after the shot and only if they are free of symptoms such as fever or any other infections. Individuals who are recovered from COVID-19 should wait at least three months after symptoms have subsided to donate blood.

As per World Health Organization guidelines, anyone who has travelled recently must wait 28 days after their return to Qatar to donate.

For more information about blood donation in Qatar, visit hamad.qa/qbs.


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