Blood donors to receive motivational text messages to encourage repeat visits

The initiative is based on a successful Swedish model that encourages greater community involvement, and is being paid for by the Ministry of Health.

DUBAI // Motivational text messages are being sent to blood donors thanking them for saving lives in the hope it will encourage repeat visits.

The Sharjah Blood Transfusion and Research Centre collected more than 25,000 blood units last year, with increasing demand due to a growing population and more private hospitals leading to an even bigger collection target for this year.

A simple thank you message is being sent to mobile phones of those from across the country who have donated, once their blood sample has been used in government hospitals and private clinics.

The initiative is being launched by the Sharjah centre but will be implemented UAE-wide. It is based on a successful Swedish model that encourages greater community involvement, and is being paid for by the Ministry of Health.

Dr Hussein Abdel-Rahman Al Rand, assistant undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention for health centres and clinics, said: “The ministry will strive to ensure sufficient supplies of safe blood are available to meet the needs of all private and public hospitals.

“The blood bank will serve all government and private hospitals, and there is cooperation between blood banks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi whenever certain blood types are required.”

Collections will continue during Ramadan but are restricted to evenings.