Qatar Blood Donation

The Blood Donor Unit at Hamad Medical Corporation is a major institution that provides services to donors, including awareness programs and events promoting this charitable endeavour. HMC has also been participating in international campaigns such as the World Voluntary Blood Donation Day WVBDD that falls on June 14^th of each year. Blood donation is given importance and significance, as it is a life-saving act.

HMC has seen rising figures of blood donations each year, with an average of 50 to 60 donations done each day. The donors come from various government and non-government organizations including cultural and social agencies, including individuals.
 
Over the years, the demand for blood have increased due to three factors:
·         Increasing traffic and worksite accidents
·         More diseases and surgeries
·         Opening of new hospitals
 
Medical Info on Blood and Blood Donation
 
There are four blood types: O, A, B and AB. Blood is made up of four components: red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets.
 
The process may involve whole blood (including all the components) or just a single component for example platelets; this is called apheresis. Platelets are significantly important as it is involved in blood clotting and it controls bleeding. Those who benefit from platelet donations are blood cancer patients, bone marrow transplant patients, surgery, chemotherapy patients and organ treatment patients.
 
Donors going through with this type of procedure will be connected to an apheresis instrument that separates the platelets and returns other blood components to the donor. The donor’s body replenishes within 24 hours.
 
Requirements for blood donors

• Must be between 18 to 60 years of age

• Be in good health in general at the day of donation

• Must not have any chronic heart, lung or circulatory illnesses

• Weight must be 50 kg and above

• Donors must not be anaemic, insulin dependent or hypertensive

• Donors must inform the unit about medications being taken

• Pregnant, lactating, or menstruating women may not donate

Medical professionals will interview donors briefly. This is a critical part of the process, one that donors will have to pass. Certain conditions including travel history will be discussed, as malaria and tuberculosis is prevalent in certain countries; this information will not be disclosed to the donor.
 
If the donor passes the interview, they may proceed. The donation process takes about 40 minutes. Donors are urged to:
 

• Bring valid identification like health cards

• Get enough sleep prior to the day of donation

• Abstain from smoking, minimum 2 hours before.

Donors may go directly to the Blood Donor Unit near the Hamad General Hospital
Tel: 44391081, 44391082.
Website: https://www.hamad.qa/EN/news/2015/June/Pages/Organ-and-Blood-Donation-Campaigns.aspx
 
 
HMC also deploys Mobile Blood Donation Units across the city of Doha.