Saturday 13 / June / 2026
Muscat: Blood donation embodies one of the noblest forms of humanitarian giving and volunteer work due to its pivotal role in saving lives, supporting the healthcare system, and enhancing its preparedness. Omani society presents a commendable model of solidarity and compassion, reinforcing humanitarian and social bonds among its members.
The Sultanate of Oman joins countries around the world in observing World Blood Donor Day, celebrated annually on June 14, in recognition of blood donors and their vital contributions to saving lives and improving the quality of healthcare, while emphasising the importance of fostering a culture of voluntary and regular blood donation.
Dr. Khalid bin Said Al Habsi, Senior Consultant in Hematology and Blood Transfusion and Head of the Blood Bank Services Department, told Oman News Agency (ONA) that community awareness regarding blood donation has witnessed remarkable growth. Statistics confirm this trend, as the Blood Bank Services Department in Bausher recorded a significant increase in the number of blood units collected, rising from 28,613 units to 42,023 units between 2020 and 2025—an increase of 47 percent. This reflects the positive impact and success of ongoing awareness campaigns.
He added that this growing awareness must continue through intensified educational campaigns, particularly targeting younger generations, who represent the foundation of the future.
This requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders. He noted that the number of regular blood donors continues to increase, with a number of committed donors being honored annually.
Dr. Al Habsi pointed out that many donors have records exceeding 50 blood or platelet donations, while some have approached 300 donations.
He emphasised that regular donors represent a critical safety net during emergencies, as they are often the first to respond to urgent appeals.
Their donations are also considered highly reliable due to their consistent donation history and understanding of the vital role they play in supporting the national healthcare system.
He explained that the demand for blood and blood components remains substantial and ongoing throughout Oman.
The Blood Bank Services Department is responsible for meeting the needs of healthcare institutions across Muscat Governorate and, at times, extends support to other governorates.
More than 4,000 units of blood are supplied each month—equivalent to approximately 140 units daily—to ensure uninterrupted treatment services for patients.
He added that these figures relate only to Blood Bank Services in Bausher. Other blood banks operate within healthcare cities and hospitals across Muscat Governorate, while blood requirements in other governorates vary depending on population size and annual donor numbers.
Dr. Al Habsi noted that one of the most significant challenges to maintaining a strategic blood reserve is the decline in donations during official holidays, the summer season, and the holy month of Ramadan.
To address these challenges, Blood Bank Services adopts a proactive strategy that includes organizing additional donation campaigns, strengthening direct communication with donors, and closely monitoring blood stock levels.
He stressed that Blood Bank Services also works to guide healthcare institutions toward the optimal use of blood units and adherence to approved policies and recommendations for blood transfusions, ensuring that every patient receives the medical care they need at critical times.
He further highlighted another challenge: sudden severe bleeding cases, whether occurring in operating rooms, as a result of accidents, or during complicated childbirths. Such cases can consume large quantities of blood unexpectedly and may continue to affect supplies for several days.
In these circumstances, the national donor registry serves as a vital resource, enabling urgent communication with donors to reinforce strategic reserves and maintain stable blood supplies for hospitals.
Dr. Al Habsi explained that the shelf life of a red blood cell unit does not exceed 43 days, while platelets remain usable for only five days. This necessitates a careful balance between demand and consumption to avoid shortages or excesses that could result in the wastage of invaluable blood units.
He noted that some rare blood types require special efforts to secure. Among them, O-negative, known as the universal donor blood type, remains one of the most sought-after types for emergency situations. Individuals with negative blood groups account for only about 5 percent of all donors.
He added that some patients require extremely rare blood types, making their procurement particularly challenging. Only limited numbers of such donors are registered in the national donor database due to the rarity of these blood groups. Examples include rare subtypes such as Kell-related rare phenotypes, U-negative blood types, P1PK blood group variants, and other uncommon blood groups recorded by Blood Bank Services.
Regarding the management and distribution of blood supplies across Oman’s governorates, Dr. Khalid Al Habsi explained that the Blood Bank Services Department in Bausher regularly monitors 12 blood banks across the governorates to ensure the availability of blood units.
He emphasised that a centralised management and coordination system is in place to facilitate cooperation during emergencies and connect blood banks throughout the country, enabling needs to be assessed and blood supplies distributed rapidly and fairly according to the medical requirements of each governorate.
He added that efforts are ongoing to enhance the capabilities of blood banks in the governorates so they can serve as key support centers during national emergencies within an integrated healthcare system.
Dr. Al Habsi stressed that the safety of both patients and blood donors is a top priority. This commitment is reflected in the strict national policies applied throughout all stages of the donation process under the safety principle of “vein-to-vein safety.”
He explained that every donor undergoes a comprehensive questionnaire covering various aspects related to personal health and blood safety, in addition to a medical examination to verify the stability of vital indicators such as blood pressure and hemoglobin levels.
Blood units are subsequently subjected to comprehensive laboratory screening to detect transfusion-transmissible diseases, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and syphilis. He noted that all blood banks in Oman employ advanced Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) technology to ensure the highest standards of blood safety.
He added that blood units are stored under precisely controlled temperatures and monitored conditions until they are delivered to hospitals in accordance with approved safety standards.
Following laboratory testing, blood units are separated into their primary components—red blood cells, platelets, and plasma—using advanced centrifugation equipment.
These components are then stored under standardized and monitored temperature conditions for specified shelf-life periods. Any unit that does not meet the required medical standards is excluded from use.
Dr. Al Habsi emphasised that modern technologies play a crucial role in advancing blood bank services and improving quality. He pointed out that nucleic acid testing has significantly shortened the diagnostic window period for viral infections, enabling earlier and more accurate detection.
He also noted that the national donor database has enabled the establishment of an integrated electronic network that facilitates tracking donors’ medical records, managing laboratory tests, issuing emergency donation appeals, and reaching the widest possible pool of donors.
Addressing health concerns and misconceptions that discourage some individuals from donating blood, Dr. Al Habsi stressed that blood donation is a completely safe procedure carried out using sterile, pre-packaged equipment intended for single use only and discarded immediately afterward.
He explained that the amount of blood collected—approximately 450 milliliters—does not adversely affect the health of an adult donor and is naturally replenished by the body within a short period. Every donor undergoes a preliminary health assessment, including measurements of blood pressure, hemoglobin level, and pulse rate, to ensure fitness for donation. Individuals who may face any health risk are not permitted to donate.
He further noted that blood donation offers proven health benefits to donors themselves. These include supporting cardiovascular health and reducing excess iron levels in the body, thereby decreasing oxidative stress on arteries, lowering harmful cholesterol levels, and improving blood circulation.
According to Dr. Al Habsi, some studies suggest that blood donation may help reduce insulin resistance and improve metabolic function. A recent study also indicated that regular blood donors exhibit genetic changes in blood cells that may help protect against cancer-related mutations. In addition, blood donation stimulates the release of erythropoietin, a hormone that encourages the bone marrow to produce new and healthy blood cells, contributing to the vitality of the circulatory system.
He emphasised that every unit of blood represents a story of hope and a new chance at life. Among the most compelling examples are patients with inherited blood disorders such as thalassemia, whose quality of life and survival depend on regular monthly blood transfusions.
He added that patients with sickle cell disease, cancer patients, and women experiencing severe postpartum hemorrhage also rely on regular blood donations to survive, integrate into society, and maintain a better quality of life. Without sufficient blood supplies, many surgical procedures and complex treatments would become significantly riskier—or medically impossible.
Dr. Khalid Al Habsi explained that the patient groups that benefit most from blood donation include individuals suffering from thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, and cancer, particularly those who require regular platelet transfusions.
Other beneficiaries include victims of road traffic accidents, patients undergoing major surgical procedures, and emergency obstetric cases where blood transfusions are essential to save mothers’ lives.
He noted that maintaining a safe and sustainable strategic blood reserve is critical in responding to major accidents and emergencies, as every minute of delay in providing blood can mean the difference between life and death.
The availability of sufficient blood stocks—especially O blood type—enables medical teams to begin resuscitation and treatment immediately upon a patient’s arrival at the hospital, without having to wait for blood typing results.
Looking ahead, Dr. Al Habsi said future plans focus on expanding the base of regular blood donors through the launch of a smart mobile application. The app will allow donors to locate the nearest donation center, access their donation history, and book appointments easily in advance.
The objective is to make blood donation a regular, year-round habit rather than an activity limited to emergencies or urgent appeals.
He emphasised that community partnership is a cornerstone of blood bank operations. External blood donation campaigns organised in cooperation with sports clubs, social organisations, and private-sector companies have yielded tangible positive results and contributed significantly to increasing donor participation.
In conclusion, Dr. Al Habsi said that this year’s message draws inspiration from the slogan of World Blood Donor Day:
“Give Blood, Give Hope: Together We Save Lives.”
He stressed that every drop of blood donated represents a genuine lifeline and that a single unit of blood can provide up to three new chances at life.
He added that the impact of this humanitarian act extends beyond saving the patient alone; it also brings hope and joy to the patient’s family and loved ones. He called on members of the community to answer this humanitarian call and embody the highest values of generosity and compassion by becoming regular blood donors.
