HE Minister of Health, Dr. Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Rabeeah, recently presented awards to sixteen citizens who had each donated blood more than fifty times. These voluntary, unpaid blood donors, as well as supporting governmental health sectors, were given medals of honor from the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques for their life-saving gifts of blood. The event took place, Monday, June 13th, at the Marriott Hotel in Riyadh.
HE Minister of Health said that the Kingdom, through the Ministry of Health, is keen to providing a high level of public health services for all citizens and residents. Safe blood supply and transfusion procedures protect all patients with the use of up-to-date medical equipment and laboratory testing. DNA testing, hiring well-trained staff and accrediting new developmental projects also add to patient safety and better health outcomes. The Plasma Derivatives Manufactory, already approved by the Council of Arab Ministers of Health, is one such project.
HE Dr. Al Rabeeah added that the Ministry launched this event on World Blood Donor Day. The Kingdom joined all nations in celebrating this international health day under the theme of "More blood. More life."
General Director of Laboratory and Blood Bank Department, Dr. Ibrahim Bin Abdul AL Aziz AL Omar, confirmed that the Ministry has equipped 525 blood banks across the Kingdom. These blood banks have collected 450,000 blood and blood product units during the year 1413 H, an increases of 34,000 units compare with 1430 H.
Dr. Al Omar noted that the Ministry approved the budget to establish and equip 13 new referral center blood banks across the Kingdom. Dr. Al Omar thanked the blood donors for their life-saving and unselfish contributions, which he said prove their true belier and their humanity.
Col. Maen Methly Al Yousef, spokesman for the blood donors, replied that because Allah has blessed them with good health, it is their duty to help save people’s lives. He also thanked the Ministry of Health for their continuous efforts to provide safe blood for all who need it, and wished all patients a speedy recovery.
The Deputy Minister of Health for Executive Affairs, Dr. Mansour Al Hawasi, was also rewarded as a blood donor. He conveyed his thanks, and stressed the importance of donating blood in helping to save lives.