Maldives Blood Services has stated the call for blood donation has been successful, noting its current stock will be able to supply blood for thalassemia patients for a week.
Speaking to PSM News, Associate Specialist in Pediatrics at Maldives Blood Services Dr. Ahmed Umar said the public call for blood donation was made due to difficulties in acquiring blood donors amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the public response to the call has been good, as 206 individuals had donated blood across the past three days. Noting 160 units of blood are required for a week, he revealed the blood bank currently has 150 units.
Furthermore, Dr. Umar stated 70 units of blood were used on Saturday alone, adding the institution needs continued public support in order to supply blood to thalassemia patients. He urged the public to continue donating blood to ensure the supply of blood does not run out.
Maldives Blood Services usually acquires blood through donation camps in resorts and Male’ City. 33% of the donors are volunteers, while 67% are donors acquired by patients. The centre revealed there would be no difficulties in acquiring blood if 3% of the population regularly donates blood.
Any adult over the age of 18 and weighs over 45 kilograms can donate blood. The donors must have a hemoglobin count of over 12.5. Healthy individuals can donate blood every three months.
Currently, there are 635 thalassemia patients in Maldives, of which over 300 patients seek treatment from the National Thalassemia Centre in Male’ City.