Medical experts at the lab have also introduced a new technique using umbilical chord cells to treat blood-related diseases. The treatments will bolster the reputation of Sharjah's medical experts as the region's pioneers in blood-related diseases.
The umbilical chord technique can be used to treat a range of conditions including thalassaemia which is common in the UAE and the region as well as Mediterranean countries. The lab is now based in the Mowaileh area and a part of the Sharjah Blood Transfusion Services and Research Centre.
Amin Hussain Al Amiri, Director of Blood Transfusion Service at the Ministry of Health, pointed out that Sharjah has played a leading role in blood-related treatment. Sharjah-based experts have been chairing the Gulf Blood Transmission Society since 1996 and the Arab Blood Transfusion Society since 2000.
"We are in a position to impart our knowledge and findings of new research which can be implemented in the region," he said.
The need for blood is said to have increased due to the sharp growth of the population and a rise in the number of serious traffic accidents. Al Amiri said these factors had led to a rise in the number of surgeries being conducted.
"Hereditary blood disorders or acquired anaemic diseases are also common," he added.
"Because of such a need, we regularly organise blood donation drives and special awareness campaigns to demonstrate our constant need for blood and to show people what it is use for.As such, a blood donation does not normally exceed half a litre or about 8 per cent of the total blood volume. A healthy adult body can replace the quantity of blood donated in three to four weeks.
Blood density
A donor's blood density is slightly more diluted than normal. This decrease in concentration can be of some benefit to people with above average haemoglobin concentration, as it will encourage the blood contents to settle down to normal levels.
"The blood is tested to make sure it is free from communicable diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis or syphilis," Al Amiri said.
The donors at Sharjah Blood Transfusion and research Centre receive the satisfaction of knowing they are saving lives. Regular donors are also recognised in an 'appreciation party' arranged by the Department of Blood Banks and Laboratories at the Ministry of Health.
The centre is also introducing a new transfusion technique that will ensure the irrigated blood is free of bacteria. The equipment for this will be imported soon, according to the centre's director.
The Sharjah-based centre is the largest blood donation centre in the Middle East. The centre recently moved to its new premises on Al Qassimiya Road in the Mowaileh area. The site was chosen for its convenient location midway between the Sharjah-Dhaid Highway and the Emirates Road. It provides easier access to blood donors coming from other emirates.
New location
The new Dh8 million blood centre houses three specialised medical laboratories to deal with virus diagnosis, blood components and haemotology.
Blood donations are taken in two halls, one each for men and women, each accommodating 10 donors at a time. However, they can be expanded to accommodate a maximum of 20 donors during peak times.
The Virus Diagnosis Laboratory at the centre can detect all viral and hereditary diseases. Using an advanced process of analysis, the blood components laboratory splits up the blood units to be stored for future use. The haemotology laboratory conducts tests to ascertain a donor's blood group before donation.
The lab has expanded its work with hospitals and provides blood to 22 public and private health institutions in the UAE. It collects 10,000 blood units in Sharjah and 35,000 units in UAE annually. Following awareness drives, this figure is expected to reach 40,000 by the year-end.
One of the successes of the research wing has been the development of tests to determine haemoglobin and red cells levels in human and chicken blood.
Future focus
Meanwhile, the Sharjah Blood Centre is set to make a big investment in research on hereditary blood diseases which are of particular relevance to UAE nationals.
Managers at the centre are considering the introduction of a technique - Nucleic Acid Testing - which could be the first time it has been adopted in the region. Before implementation, a thorough study will be conducted to assess the cost-effectiveness of the technique. The centre will conduct joint research with medical institutions which will involve studies on artificial blood.
It will also soon begin training students from the University of Sharjah and female students from the Higher Colleges of Technologies. Training in blood transfusion will allow people get acquainted with the latest techniques.
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