Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) had a total of 26,962 voluntary blood donors in 2016, a senior official has stated.
“Additionally, throughout the year, 361 blood donation campaigns were hosted by corporate entities and organisations,” said Siddiqa Ismail al-Mahmoudi manager, HMC’s Blood Donor Center.
HMC held a special event on Tuesday night to appreciate hundreds of volunteers who donated their blood during 2016. The event was held under the auspices of HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, ahead of the World Blood Donor Day (WBDD 2017) being observed worldwide on June 14 every year.
“The culture of blood donation is now deeply rooted in Qatar as the country stopped blood imports in 1987 and has maintained 100% blood sufficiency for seven years in a row,” recalled al-Mahmoudi.
"This annual event is meant to express gratitude to donors who voluntarily give the gift of blood for no reason other than saving lives. It is also intended to boost awareness of safe blood and blood products and to shed light on the importance of blood donation as a life-saving solution for patients with life-threatening ailments,” she stressed.
She added that the Blood Donor Center and Corporate Communications Department have begun to activate the objectives and theme of WBDD within the Qatari community.
More than 200 voluntary donors including 144 whole blood donors, 40 whole blood and platelet donors, and 20 female donors were recognised at the event. In addition, 38 mobile campaign organisers representing various national, cultural, and youth organisations who participated in awareness campaigns were also honoured.
The recognition ceremony coincided with the launch of a number of interactive, cultural and informative youth oriented and promotional programmes, being organised by the Blood Donor Center in collaboration with HMC’s Corporate Communication Department.
HE al-Kuwari lauded the work of the Blood Donor Center and said “HMC appreciates the invaluable contributions of all donors whose thoughtful giving helps us to save lives every day. Our community and their support have helped us achieve 100% blood self-sufficiency. This makes HMC, our national health provider, the most reliable healthcare facility in blood transfusion in the region.”
This year’s WBDD campaign with the slogan, “What can you do? Give blood. Give now. Give often,” focuses on blood donation in emergencies and seeks to highlight blood transfusion as an essential component of emergency healthcare.
The platinum sponsor - Social and Sports Activities Support Fund (Daam) and gold sponsor - Qatargas, in addition to two silver sponsors: Qatar Petrochemical Company and Al Muftah Group, were recognised for financing the blood donor recognition ceremony.
A promotional and documentary film on the culture of blood donation entitled “Knights of Giving” featuring the vision and objectives of the Blood Donation Center was screened during the ceremony.
