JEDDAH, 24 August 2006 — In an innovatory “bloody” experience, visitors and tourists to the beach in Jeddah this summer are able to donate blood on the spot at a mobile blood bank vehicle stationed at the Corniche.
“The vehicle is open for business from between 5.00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the seaside in front of the Westin Hotel,” said Jaffar Khiariy, donor services supervisor at the blood bank of King Faisal Specialist Hospital (KFSH).
Khiariy said that the mobile blood bank is not a new thing and has been operating on a small scale since late 2004. “This summer we are sending it out daily to the Corniche to encourage people to donate blood. The response has been amazing from both locals and expatriates,” he said.
“We know that people don’t mind donating blood, the problem we encountered was a lack of understanding. When people see how easy it is to donate they never hesitate for a second,” he said.
The vehicle belongs to the KFSH and has a year-round schedule. During school season, the vehicle visit schools to encourage school children to donate blood and also visits various government departments and private firms.
The blood bank offers leaflets and brochures explaining the process and benefits of donating blood. The vehicle contains two rooms and four beds. Prospective donors are required to spend no more than 20 minutes for a blood donation.
Blood donation process is very simple; donors first go through a physical checkup to find out whether the person can be a donor and then made to lie on a bed for six to ten minutes while a unit of blood is taken.
Potential donors have to be at least 50 kg in weight, over the age of 17 and generally healthy.
