• SEHA encourages community members to commit to donate, with the establishment of a completely safe and efficient blood donation process

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, (SEHA), the UAE’s largest healthcare network, is emphasizing the role of blood donation in saving the lives of patients - even after receiving COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccinated people may donate blood within 14 days of the first or second dose. Each donor contributes to saving the lives of at least three people.

Dr. Marwan Al Kaabi, Acting Group Chief Operations Officer, SEHA, said “It is vital for all members of our community to regularly donate blood. Blood is our lifeline, and our blood banks need a consistent supply of blood to protect the interests of the entire community, especially our brothers and sisters who require life-saving transfusions. There are currently no substitutes for blood therapy, and it is crucial that all members of the society consider the possibility and day where they, a friend, or family member would require a blood transfusion too.”

Some patients such as those diagnosed with Thalassemia, or Sickle Cell Anemia require blood therapy every three weeks. Blood transfusions are also essential in saving the lives of those involved in accidents or incidents which cause major blood loss.

“We have ensured that the blood donation process is safe and efficient, in line with global best practice for donors. During COVID-19, we introduced additional, robust, safety and precautionary measures at the blood banks. The process is not only completely safe for donors, but there is also no risk of transmission of the COVID-19 virus during donation. We urge all members of the community to donate blood, including those who have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Everyone must commit to donate as this is a public health matter.” Dr. Al Kaabi continued.

Saif Saleh Salem Al Harthy has donated blood 50 times so far, including several times in the past year. He strongly believes that donating blood is a humanitarian act that seeks God's pleasure and undoubtedly help others.

Ali Hassan Muhammad Abdul Latif Al-Jamadi has been donating at the Zayed Military Hospital, a SEHA facility, since 1990. He has continued to donate as many as three times a year and has so far donated 45 times. He believes donating blood is a duty towards the UAE and its community, it is a humanitarian act that seeks God's pleasure.

Muhammad Munther Tawfiq Nasr is a Palestinian resident of the UAE, who has so far donated blood 55 times. Nasr’s blood type is O+, a blood type that is in very high demand, and he explained his decision to donate every quarter, saying, “Donating blood is a humanitarian cause and my personal way of expressing my gratitude to the country where I was born and have lived for my whole life. My father donated blood very regularly, and he strongly influenced my choice to continue with this tradition. Besides the charitable element, blood donation keeps me healthy, helps rejuvenate my body, and is not harmful to our health, contrary to some misconceptions.”

Imad Marwan Abu Angela, a Jordanian national who has been a resident of the UAE for 14 years, has also committed to donating blood every two to three months, and has so far donated 35 times. Commenting on his choice, “Donating blood is very rewarding and fills me with happiness as I know I am contributing to saving the lives of other people. A drop of blood can save a life, and helps stimulate a blood donor’s circulation, in addition to promoting the body’s cell renewal process.”

Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Services aims to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of blood inventory at the blood banks, to support the needs of 50 public and private hospitals in the Emirate.  Both the Abu Dhabi and Al Ain banks welcome donors Saturdays to Thursdays, with the Abu Dhabi branch being open from 7:00am to 10:00pm, whilst the Al Ain branch is open from 8:00am to 8:00pm.

To book a blood donation appointment, call 02 819 1700 for the Abu Dhabi Blood bank, or 03 707 4191 for the Al Ain Blood Bank.

-Ends-

About SEHA:

The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC–SEHA – is an independent, public joint stock company created to develop the curative activities of the public healthcare system in Abu Dhabi. The company owns and operates all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

SEHA is part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies with a broad portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy.

SEHA is committed to continuous improvement of customer care to recognized international standards and providing the community with world-class healthcare. SEHA operates 13 hospitals with 3,385 beds, 70 ambulatory care, family care and urgent care centers and 2 blood banks. Its facilities accommodate 117,162 inpatients annually and conduct 43,262 surgeries, as well as treating more than five million outpatients. SEHA is one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in the Middle East with more than 18,000 doctors, nurses, ancillary care, and administrative personnel. Learn more at www.seha.ae 

Send us your press releases to pressrelease.zawya@refinitiv.com

© Press Release 2021

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.