A total of 42,515 people registered as blood donors in 2015 with the Blood Donor Centre of the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
The figure was 38,573 in 2014 and 25,449 in 2013.
The data was revealed by Sadiqa al-Mahmoudi, medical director at the Blood Donor Centre, on Sunday on the sidelines of an event to announce the sponsors of its annual World Blood Donor Day celebrations.
Al-Mahmoudi said Qatar has achieved a regional record for 100% voluntary blood donations for the sixth consecutive year. "Last year we had 27,203 donations while in 2014 we had 25,224 and 24,320 in 2013. While we have enough stock of blood, all the negative groups are rare and difficult to get.”
The official highlighted that the total number of registered donors of blood and blood products from January 2002 until the end of February 2016 was 189,449 while the total number of blood units drawn during the same period was 144,805.



Sadiqa al-Mahmoudi, medical director at the Blood Donor Centre

"This accomplishment is added to the vital role of HMC’s Department of Medical Laboratory and Pathology, as well as HMC’s strategy to improve blood transfusion services in Qatar.”
Al-Mahmoudi pointed out that the donors generally reach the blood donor centre. “This has involved campaigns and interactive programmes which helped our Blood Bank to maintain its stocks of blood and blood products. Sometimes, the mobile units reach the institutions and collect the blood from the volunteers. Volunteers from several educational institutes as well as social organisations offer to donate blood through several campaigns,” she added.
HMC also announced the sponsors for the World Blood Donor Day 2016. Social and Sports Activities Support Fund and QNB are the platinum sponsors while Alfardan Group of Companies and Qatar Gas are the gold sponsors and Qatar Petrochemical Company the silver sponsor.
The Blood Donor Centre has collaborated with the Corporate Communications Department of HMC to celebrate the World Blood Donor Day by jointly organising activities through organisations, schools and youth centres within the Qatari community.
The World Blood Donor Day celebrations will be held on June 14 in co-operation with the Ministry of Public Health and under the auspices of HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari.
The theme for 2016 is "Blood Links Us All", and the event will recognise donors and organisations which have supported blood donation efforts in the community. More than 250 contributors among individuals and institutions in community-based initiatives, including citizens and several residents of Qatar, will be honoured at the ceremony.
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