HMC Launches Ramadan Campaign for Blood and Organ Donations

Hamad Medical Corporation

Hamad Medical Corporation, in cooperation with Al Faisal Without Borders Foundation, launched Ramadan field campaign for voluntary blood donation and organ donation for the 11th consecutive year and will continue until April 9, 2024.

The campaign is within the framework of community partnership and the national initiative of ALF with HMC. It is also part of the efforts of ALF to increase awareness about the importance of blood and organ donation and to enhance awareness of the importance of these services for the medical sector and patients.

HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al-Thani emphasized that this campaign represents a national duty stemming from the objectives of ALF and its well-established leadership role in sponsoring humanitarian and social events. This includes supporting field campaigns to provide blood and organs, as well as participating in raising community awareness about this human aspect and promoting the importance of donation.

Abdul Latif Al Yafei, General Manager of Al Faisal Without Borders Foundation, stated that the continuity of launching the blood and organ donation campaign since 2013 until now is a clear evidence of the success of the campaign through the distinguished partnership between ALF and HMC.

"In the previous campaigns, we have witnessed a great turnout from blood donors, reflecting the good spirit of Qatar citizens and residents on our generous land. Today, we are realizing the visionary goals of ALF to be a leading national, humanitarian, and global institution aspiring to enhance sustainable development and dignified living, and to bridge cultural and humanitarian communication with society by providing a wide range of developmental options." Nayef Al Shamari, Executive Director of Media Department at HMC, stressed the remarkable success of the activities of Ramadan campaign for blood donation and organ donation as a result of the continuous collaboration between HMC and Al Faisal Without Borders Foundation.

Nayef Al Shamari said: "The continuous success of the annual blood and organ donation campaign confirms the significant awareness among the public to support and enrich the blood bank inventory, as well as their willingness to register in the organ donor registries after death. We thank all our supporters in this campaign and hope that it contributes to spreading the culture of donating the gift of life through blood or organs."

The campaign has achieved notable success in the past years, attracting a large number of blood donors and organ donors. The Blood Donation Center and the Qatar Organ Donation Center (HIBA) activate their respective plans to organize field campaigns and leverage Ramadan events held throughout the holy month, in major commercial centers, cultural, social, and youth centers with high public attendance.

Launching the organ donation campaign during the blessed month of Ramadan is part of the national campaign executed by the Qatar Organ Donation Center (HIBA), continuing throughout the year. This campaign targets various locations in Doha and other cities to attract organ donors among citizens and residents, under the National Organ Transplant Program supervised by HMC.

Dr. Riadh Fadhil, Director of the Qatar Organ Donation Center (HIBA) at HMC, confirmed that booths are being provided by the national organ donation campaign in seven shopping centers. These booths are currently being set up and are scheduled to open during the blessed month of Ramadan.

"During the campaign medical, nursing, and administrative staff of the (Hiba) center's awareness booth interact with members of the public to explain the center's vision, mission, and objectives. Inquiries from the public regarding organ donation and how crucial it is to saving lives are answered by the medical team. Registration for organ donation is also facilitated for those who wish to join, and donors can receive their donor card on the spot," Dr. Riadh added.

According to Dr. Riadh Fadhil, the organ donor registry in the country has about 530,000 registered donors. This represents nearly 25% of the adult population in the State of Qatar. There are now more kidney transplants performed each year due to the yearly doubling of the number of living kidney donors to their family.

Additionally, he mentioned that the organ donor registry has more than 100 nationalities represented, which is a remarkable accomplishment given that the registry was only established 12 years ago and positively correlates with the organ donation rate among all nationalities. In addition, Dr. Riadh expressed gratitude to the families of organ donors and noted the strong public support for the nation's organ donation efforts.

Dr. Riadh Fadhil stated that in 2023, there was a significant increase in the number of donors and transplants, with 82 kidney transplants, 11 liver transplants, and 3 lung transplants performed out.

Source: QNA