Why one should donate blood

What is blood transfusion?
Donating blood from a healthy individual to a blood deficient person is called blood transfusion.

Various conditions, such as accidents, child birth, surgery or severe illness can also deplete the amount of blood in a person. Certain diseases like Thalassemia need continuous blood transfusion. These shortages need to be supplemented through blood transfusion.
To satisfy these requirements of blood, various countries are taking important measures.

The United Arab Emirates for example has recently implemented many strategies to improve its healthcare system. The UAE has purchased its second mobile blood bank to satisfy its local needs in blood and various blood components for public and private hospitals.

The Ministry of Health also announced that the UAE has succeeded in collecting 57719 blood units with its first mobile blood bank during the past 8 years.

Compared to the previous years this amount is considerably important especially since 70% of the donated blood was given voluntarily and not for money exchange.

This special facility of mobile blood bank is available through out the UAE. It is fully equipped with the most recent technology to enhance quality, good service and comfort to donors and the medical staff.

Basic principles of blood transfusion:
Blood transfusion has to be harmless to the donor and to the recipient. To assure the safety, quality and compatibility of the donated blood, specific and sever criteria and laboratory tests are implemented and done before the transfusion.

Criteria to select donors:

• Age: The donor should between 18 years old 60 years old with standard weight


• The interval between donations should be a minimum of 3 months.


• A person should not donate blood if he has a chronic disease ex. (diabetes, hypertension, lung disease, cancer, blood disease etc.) or any other acute condition ex. ( flue, infection, fever, diarrhea etc)

Blood tests include:


• Blood grouping (A, B, AB, O): Where donor's and recipient group must match


• Rh factor ( positive+, negative- ): Where this factor must be the same for both


• Compatibility test (cross matching): Blood with major incompatibility should never be transfused, whereas blood with minor compatibility can be transfused in case of emergency.


• Test against transmission of diseases such as: HIV, Hepatitis B & C, Syphilis and Malarial parasite test

Now you know that the final decision of whether the donor's blood is safe for transfusion does not solely depend on blood group and Rh typing but it depends on many other factors.
Remember that blood donation is safe and that your body gets benefits of synthesizing new bloods cells when you donate blood.

The risk factor of transmission of diseases like AIDS and Hepatitis can be easily prevented by using sterile needles and syringes. Before donating blood make sure that new disposable needles and syringes are used.

Finally, keep in mind that your blood can save a life and you can make priceless difference in others lives with blood donation.