What You Need to Know About Blood Donation

Blood donation occurs when a person voluntarily has blood drawn so that the blood can be used for transfusion or medication purposes. In Qatar, like in many developed countries, blood donors are unpaid volunteers who give blood for the communitys supply. Hamad Medical Corporations (HMC) blood bank supplies blood and blood products for all hospitals in the country, including private hospitals. There is currently a need to increase the blood banks supply by at least 20 percent every year. A minimum of 750 units of all blood groups have to be maintained on a daily basis. With the increasing population and the opening of new hospitals, HMCs Blood Donor Center expects a further increase in patients needing blood and blood products for their treatment. By donating blood, one person can save the lives of as many as three people. Selecting blood donors Not everyone is allowed to donate. Potential donors are first evaluated by medical staff to assess their general health and suitability for donation. This is part of intensive quality control procedures intended to ensure that the blood being donated will be safe and beneficial for patients, as well as to ensure that the donation is not hazardous to the donors health. You can only donate blood if: You are in good health and feel well on the day of the donation. You have no chronic diseases of the heart, lungs or circulatory system. You are at least 18 years old, and you weigh at least 50 kilograms. You have a hemoglobin level at least 12.5 grams/deciliter. You have blood pressure systolic between 100 and 160, diastolic 60 to 100 torr. You have a regular pulse between 60 and 100, and oral temperature less than or equal to 37.5C. You must inform the medical staff if you are taking any medications. To donate platelets, you should not have taken aspirin or any anti-inflammatory painkillers such as Ibuprofen 36 to 72 hours prior to donation. These drugs stop the platelets from working properly.

Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating are not allowed to donate blood. Is blood donation safe? Donating is safe and can even be beneficial for donors, as it stimulates the production of new blood cells, rejuvenating the donors body. Some donors say that they actually feel more energetic after donating.
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At HMC, the blood donation process is carried out by trained staff under the medical supervision of qualified, experienced doctors, helping ensure the safety of the process. The entire process only takes about 40 minutes for whole blood donation, including registration, medical interview, vital signs check, the blood donation itself, and post-donation rest. One can donate platelets (one of the four components of blood) only instead of whole blood. Through a procedure known as apheresis, blood is drawn from the donors veins and the platelets are separated from other components of the blood, which are returned to the donor. The entire process takes about one hour. After donating, blood donors can stay at the rest area and partake of refreshments offered by the center. Donors are advised to drink at least one cup of fluid before leaving the center. You can resume your normal activities after donating, but you should not smoke for at least one hour. How often can I donate? Healthy individuals are capable of donating blood every two months. One blood donor has donated 197 times and was among those honored during World Blood Donor Day, which is celebrated by HMC every year to recognize and honor voluntary blood donors. Donating platelets can be done safely at a much higher frequency than that for whole blood as often as twice a week because the body starts replenishing platelets immediately after donation. Within 24 hours, your bodys platelets should be completely replenished. Those who want to donate can visit the Blood Donation Center located just across the roundabout in front of Hamad General Hospital. An identification card is required when donating. The center is open from 7:00am to 9:30pm daily (including holidays) except for Fridays.