Speaking at a function that was held to honor 16 blood donors, he said the ministry adopts the latest technology in the field. “Recently we introduced DNA tests for blood donors to ensure safety,” he said.

He said the new plasma derivatives factory planned by the Kingdom would benefit all Arab countries. The factory will have the capacity to produce 14 types of medication, including those for cancer, skin diseases, burns, bleeding and clotting deficiencies.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, director general of laboratories and blood banks, said the ministry collected more than 450,000 units of blood through its blood banks last year.

He said allocations have been made for building 13 central blood banks with high standards in different parts of the Kingdom. Tenders will be invited shortly to implement the project.