In line with the World’s celebration of the Blood Donor Day that comes this year under the slogan “Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often,” the Ministry of Health (MOH) organized today (Monday) an event to honor donors at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.

H.E. Dr. Saeed bin Harib Al-Lamki, MOH’s Undersecretary for Health Affairs patronized the honoring ceremony.

The Director of Blood Banks Services at MOH Dr. Zainab Al Oraimi emphasized that blood banks worldwide face the challenge of making sufficient blood available, while also ensuring its quality and safety.

She elaborated that the Ministry is keen in equipping blood banks with state-of-the-art medical supplies and laboratory examinations tools, along with supplying them the qualified workers in order to upgrade blood banks services. She further stressed their responsibility in providing a secure blood by carrying out voluntary blood donation activities.

Speaking in figures, Dr. Al Oraimi was delighted as the number of the collected blood units in the Central Blood Bank in 2022 reached (40,000) units with a (21%) increase compared to last year. The voluntary donation reached (97%), while the Omani blood donors was (77%).

Moreover, the number of blood units in all MOH’s blood banks has reached about 80,000 units, which enables the provision of safe blood and its components to all patients.

Blood donors address was delivered by Khalid Al Jabri, noting the sincere deed of all donors and their content in sharing this precious lifesaving gift to the needed patients, emphasizing meanwhile continuity of this action from their part.  

At the end of ceremony, the patron of the event honored (31) blood donors in addition to blood platelet donors.

The honoring event recognized the noble behavior of blood donors and underlined their valuable voluntary non-remunerated role in supporting safe and sustainable supply of blood and blood products. Furthermore, the day highlighted the importance of cooperation of the donors and the BBS to upgrade blood transfusion services in the Sultanate of Oman, encouraging therefore others to follow the same path.

In this regard, the Ministry of Health calls upon all citizens and residents to donate blood, noting that voluntary blood donation has received a large turnout from the public, remarkably exceeding 200 times per some donors.