Sheikh Khalifa Medical City – Press Release June 14, 2010

For immediate release

Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Organizes an Appreciation Ceremony for Blood Donors during the “World Blood Donor Day” on 14 June 2010

Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates: Under the patronage of H.H. Staff Brigadier Pilot Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Critical National Infrastructure Authority (CNIA), and support of Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) managed by Cleveland Clinic celebrates the “World Blood Donor Day 2010” on Monday 14 June 2010. SKMC is part of the SEHA HealthSystem and is owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA), which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. 

On this special occasion, the Abu Dhabi Blood Bank (ADBB) organized a special ceremony to acknowledge all their regular blood donors and corporate organizations in the ADBB Building today. The management of SKMC honored 20 regular blood donors and 21 of the top organizations that have supported the ADBB in organizing donation drives for their employees during the past 5 years. 

H.H. Staff Brigadier Pilot Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan stated, “CNIA eagerly supports campaigns that alleviate the pain of those who suffer from ill health as this is an integral part of the Authority’s  policy towards serving the community.” He further stated, “CNIA will continue to provide assistance to the sick and we urge all government agencies to do the same.”

 World Blood Donor Day is an international health awareness event celebrated annually on the 14th of June to support national blood donor programs in building a stable base of voluntary unpaid donors who make a long term commitment to blood donation.

 During the honoring celebration, one of the regular blood donors presented a speech expressing the importance of blood donation and the reasons behind the act of donation. Another speech was given by a patient suffering from Thalassemia who spoke about how blood donation benefits a lot of patients such as those suffering from Thalassemia and those who need blood units regularly to survive and overcome their diseases. The speaker also thanked the blood donors for their generosity on behalf of all patients who benefit from donated blood units. The ceremony was sponsored by the Critical National Infrastructure Authority (CNIA) and Bunduq Oil Company.

 The Abu Dhabi Blood Bank (ADBB), the major donor center and blood bank in Abu Dhabi, is part of the Transfusion Medicine Services division of the Department of Laboratory Medicine at SKMC. It provides blood supply that covers the needs of governmental and private hospitals in Abu Dhabi and provides support to other Emirates. 

 Conveying the spirit of the occasion, Dr. Tej Maini, CEO of SKMC stated, “It is my honor during this special day to meet some of our regular blood donors and organizations that have supported our blood donor drives during the past years. We admire their generosity.  Donating one’s blood is a very noble act and acts such as these save many lives.  Certainly, blood donors are very special people. We would like to recognize them and thank them for their altruism and courage.”

 Dr. Laila O. Abdel-Wareth, Chair of Laboratory Medicine at SKMC said, “The focus of the World Blood Donor Day 2010 would be on young donors, with the slogan “New Blood for the World”. The need for blood is increasing in all parts of the world. Young people can make an important contribution by donating blood and by recruiting other young people to become donors.  World Blood Donor Day is also an opportunity to celebrate those who already donate blood, in response to the worldwide increase in demand for philanthropy and reimbursed but in plasma donations.”

“Some of our patients who benefit from blood donation are also invited to the event. We have a group of Thalassemia patients who gave speeches to thank the blood donors for their humanity donation of blood. We consider this special day as a good opportunity to meet our regular donors and honor them for their prompt contribution to the Blood Bank and to all UAE community,” Dr. Abdel-Wareth added.

 Dr. Naima Oumeziane, head of the ADBB commented, “Amongst our top 20 blood donors, some of them have been donating blood regularly for the past 15 years. They used to visit us for donation 3 – 5 times a year in an average”.

“During the first five months of 2010, the ADBB collected 11000 units of blood and 300 units of Apheresis Platelets. UAE Nationals who represent 15.1 % of all donors comprise the largest number of donors amongst the many different nationalities that give blood each year. It is worth mentioning that we have organized 132 blood donation drives with different corporate organizations since the beginning of this year until 31 May 2010”, Dr. Oumeziane added.

Dr. Maria Araneta, head of Transfusion Medicine Services at SKMC mentioned that voluntary blood donors are the foundation of safe blood supply because they are associated with significantly lower levels of infections that can be transmitted by transfusion. Testing and screening is important, however, the safest donations come from volunteer donors. She revealed SKMC’s plan to convert to 100% voluntary donations in the near future.

About the Abu Dhabi Blood Bank

The ADBB provides blood supply that covers the needs of governmental and private hospitals in Abu Dhabi and provides support to other Emirates.  Blood transfusion is often needed for trauma victims due to accidents, burns, heart surgery, organ transplants, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or other diseases such as Sickle Cell and Thalassemia.

The Mobile Blood Bank reaches out to the community by going to organizations, public venues, universities and other areas in the community to promote blood drives. Our Team ensures compliance with international standards and that all blood donors are carefully screened to meet strict criteria and that all blood that is donated undergoes six (6) major tests for infectious diseases.

 The blood donation process is very safe; the health care team at the ADBB will assess donors to ensure their safety. It is not possible to acquire any disease through donating blood because only new, disposable, sterilized equipment is used for each donor.

 The Abu Dhabi Blood Bank hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday from 7:00 am to 9:00pm and on Saturdays from 8:00am to 1:00pm.  Organizations that would like to host the Mobile Blood Bank can call the Abu Dhabi Blood Bank to make arrangements.

For inquiries, please call the Blood Bank at +971 2 4940400.

 About CNIA

CNIA was established upon the decree issued in May 2007 by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, with the support of H.H. Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. CNIA is responsible for protecting critical infrastructure in Abu Dhabi and supports the security and stability of these infrastructures, including land and marine petroleum infrastructures, and energy and water facilities. In order to achieve its goals, CNIA uses the most modern technologies and human resources to facilitate partnership with several government entities and business organizations.

For further information, please visit www.cnia.ae or contact:

Wadhha Al-Jaberi

Head of Corporate Communications Section
Critical National infrastructure Authority (CNIA)
050-5061144
waljaberi@cnia.ae