The Royal College of Surgeons- Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain) opened the campus to Bahrains Central Blood Bank (CBB) on the 24th of May. The aim was not only to donate blood but to sign a letter of intent with Dr Fakhriya A. Darwish, Head of the CBB, that the university would commit to making available both the staff and students whom wanted to donate blood, twice a year. The affiliation between the two organistaions dates back till 2006, when a donation session was initiated by the then Student Council.
The Dean of RCSI Bahrain, Professor Sameer Otoom fully supports the initiative, which is again part of the universitys ongoing community support programme. Our organisiation is dedicated to serving the community, and this can be seen in commitments to initiatives such as blood donations drives. Donating a unit of blood is a selfless act whereby you help others in an unforgettable way, possibly saving someones life.
Averaging 70 blood donation drivers per year the CBB processes approximately 11,000 units of blood each year. Blood product donations are frequently used by both health care centres and government and private hospitals. The CBB follows the International Standard and Regulation of the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) and the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT).
Speaking about the importance of donating Dr Darwish said, Because of the generous support of these dedicated donors; we have never needed to import blood from outside sources. All blood donors are important, but if you are type O or AB, you are special because type O negative red blood cells and type AB plasma can be transfused to any patient. Your donations are VITAL - please donate as often as you can, every 90 days for red blood cells. Having blood immediately available when it is needed may help save many lives.