The MOH Undersecretary for Executive Affairs Dr. Mansour N. Al-Hawasi praised the patronage offered by the Deputy Governor of Riyadh HRH Prince Sattam bin Abdul Aziz to the ceremony organized by MOH on the occasion of the International Day of Blood Donation on Tuesday 04/06/1428 at King Abdul Aziz Historical Center. He said the patronage reflects the concern paid by His Royal Highness to blood donation, a process which is vital in rescuing the lives of millions of patients whose cases necessitate blood transfusion. Some studies have revealed that about 10% of patients introduced to hospitals require blood transfusion.
He said the attention paid to blood donation has been culminated by the decree issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques whereby blood donors who donate blood for more than ten times are offered the Order of Merit – Grade 3, whereas those who donate blood for more than 50 times are offered the Order of Merit – Grade 2. Motivated by this encouragement, about 400.000 citizens and residents have donated blood last year through 250 blood banks in the different regions of the Kingdom. A number of those who have donated for more than 50 times will be honored in the occasion.
He said the Kingdom, due to the efforts it exerts in the field of blood transfusion, has been elected for the post of President of the Arab Authority of Blood Transfusion Services. The MOH Assistant Undersecretary for Labs and Blood Banks Abdullah Al-Dirais has also been nominated for the Arab Prize for Blood Transfusion Services 2007 in appreciation of the his efforts in upgrading the works of the Arab Authority of Blood Transfusion Services.