Need to donate blood regularly, says Oman Blood Donors member

Muscat: People should come forward to donate blood regularly, rather than doing it only while there is an emergency, Faiza Ahmed Hussain from Oman Blood Donors (OBD) said.
“A majority of them donate blood when they have an emergency. But we feel that it should be the other way round. We should donate blood regularly so that the blood banks have sufficient back up when an emergency situation arises,” Hussain said.
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Hussain is a member of OBD, which has thousands of online volunteers connected through different social networking sites.
“We started in September 2015, along with an Indian expatriate woman. When she left Oman for good, we took the lead. Now, our network had widened and we are able to help people in a good way,” Hussain, who is an engineer by profession, added.
Other than connecting people for blood donation, the group also organises awareness campaigns for blood donation.
“Many people do not know the rules, practices, dos and don’ts of blood donation. Through our campaigns, we sensitise people about blood donation and encourage others to come forward,” she added.
The group also uses social networking tools to spread the word.
“It’s all done by volunteers free of charge. Nadz designz take care of making posters and #Omaniyoon takes care video promotion. Together we make it happen,” she added.
On Monday and Tuesday, the group held a blood donation camp at the Central Blood Bank, where dozens volunteered to
donate blood.
The blood donation campaign was also attended by Tawfiq Al Lawati, a Majlis Al Shura member.
Last November, the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) faced a shortage of 4,000 blood units (bags) on an annual basis, resulting in the postponement of appointments and surgeries.
The situation had also forced authorities to urge the public to come forward and visit the blood bank to make donations.