HRH Salman bin Abdul Aziz patronizes on Tuesday 04/06/1428H the celebration organized by MOH at King Abdul Aziz Historical Hall on the occasion of the International Day of Blood Donation which is organized this year under the emblem (Blood Donation .. the Best Generosity).
This year the occasion casts light on the importance of life rescuing through blood donation to mothers and newborns. The world witnesses 500 on birth deaths each year, 99% of which in underdeveloped countries, 34% in Africa, 31% in Asia, and 21% in Latin America and the Caribbeans. The deaths occur due to bleeding in cases of pregnant women who have developed anemia, malaria, laky blood, AIDS, or sexually transmitted diseases, said MOH Official Speaker Dr. Khalid Al-Marghalani.
He said the sponsorship offered by HRH Salman bin Abdul Aziz comes in line with the concern he pays to humanitarian works. "His Royal Highness himself is a blood donor", he said "He has donated blood for more than ten times".
He said the celebration will honor a number of blood donors who have been offered medals of merit by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for donating blood for more than 50 times.
KSA participates with other world nations in celebrating the occasion of the International Day of Blood Donation. More than 250 blood banks in the Kingdom receive more than 400,000 blood donors every year, the number of donors who have received medals of merit exceeding 20,000. Furthermore, the Kingdom now heads the Arabic Authority of Blood Transfusion Services. The MOH Assistant Undersecretary for Labs and Blood Banks Abdullah Al-Dirais has been nominated for the Arab prize for blood transfusion services 2007 due to his efforts in upgrading blood transfusion services in the Arabic world.
Blood donation contributes in rescuing the lives of thousands of patients requiring blood transfusion. Generally, about 10% of those admitted to hospitals require blood transfusion, especially those affected by malignant or incurable diseases.
KSA strictly applies international standards for ensuring safety of donated blood. Donations are taken only in hospitals and donors are subjected to the routine checks. In urgent cases the blood is transfused promptly to the patient and donated blood kept for later use. Blood banks usually separate donated blood into different blood components, such as plasma, platelets, and blood cells.
Al-Marghalani said the International Day of Blood Donation is an opportunity for extending gratitude to blood donors all over the world. It is also an opportunity for encouraging healthy people to donate blood for saving the lives of thousands through the blood banks scattered throughout the Kingdom.