United Arab Emirates, Dubai, June 14, 2012: The Purchasing and Contracts Department of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) organised today a blood donation campaign in cooperation with the DHA blood donation centre.
The campaign was kick-started by His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority who donated blood at the campaign.
He extended his appreciation to all the donors who came forward to donate blood and said: “Blood donation is a continuous process as donated blood has a limited shelf life of 42 days, therefore we need the community to come forward and support this cause. It is a known fact that donating blood saves lives and every contribution makes a significant different to the lives of those who are in need of blood.”
The blood donation campaign took place at the DHA headquarters.
Yousuf Al Zarooni, Director of Contracts and Purchasing Department said: “We contacted all 700 suppliers of the Dubai Health Authority and informed them about the campaign. We also personally informed the purchasing and contracts department within every government organisation in Dubai about this campaign. We are pleased to see the high turn of donors this morning. In addition to suppliers, DHA staff members have also supported this campaign and donated blood.”
Wafaa Al Mohaisin, Head of Follow Up and Development and Head of Supplier Services at the DHA said: “This initiative is part of our social responsibility initiatives and a large number of suppliers and DHA staff members came forward to donate blood.”
Marco Maher, 28, Medical Representative in City Pharmacy said: “This is the first time I have donated blood and it only took 15 minutes. I realised that this is something that I should have done long time ago and I intend on being a regular donor henceforth as this is a simple procedure and one that directly helps saves lives.”
The Blood Donation Centre located in the Latifa Hospital premises regularly supplies blood and blood products to hospitals across the Emirate of Dubai and a major requirement of blood comes from the Trauma Centre to deal with accident and emergency cases and the Thalassemia Centre, which requires blood for regular blood transfusions.
Individuals interested in donating blood may contact the centre at 04 2193221 or alternately they may contact the DHA toll free number 800 342