31% Increase of blood units collected by Tawam Hospital
Blood Services now collecting highest number of blood units in the UAE

May 27, 2008
Al Ain, UAE
Tawam Hospital in affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine announced at a press conference held on Tuesday May 27th at Tawam that the hospital’s blood services collected the highest number of blood units donated across the UAE in 2007.

In a statement, Mr. Michael E. Heindel, CEO of Tawam Hospital in affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine, said: “We are extremely pleased to announce that the figures for the number of blood units donated in 2007 is up by 31%. With 6,122 blood units collected in 2006 and a staggering 8,055 in 2007, Tawam would like to express its gratitude to the staff at the Tawam Blood Donation Centre and the thousands of people who have donated blood in the last year.”

“Tawam Hospital Blood Services has been able to exceed all targets and help save lives. Your valuable contribution to other fellow human beings and society in general will not go unnoticed,” added Mr. Heindel.

Furthermore, the Blood Bank played an important role in providing blood/blood components to public and private sector as per the UAE Law with an income of AED 175,300 in 2007 alone. Since 2002 to 2007, donations have increased the amount of income by 326% (2002=41,100 and 2007=175,300).

Commenting on the donations given to the Regional Blood Centre at Tawam, Mr. Hamad Al Mulla, Technical & Administrative Director of the Regional Blood Centre, said: “Many thanks to our partners in Police Departments, Military and Al Ain municipality, private sectors/societies, regular donors as well as Al Ain Sport Club that have recently signed an agreement to become part of the campaign. Both our partners, and the public and private sector have played a fundamental role, once again, in helping the blood centre achieve phenomenal results.  We are delighted to inform you that we will be hosting public activities during the week of June 14th, World Blood Donor Day, to show our appreciation to donors and staff alike for their valuable contributions.’’

According to Dr. Sherief Islam, Medical Director of Regional Blood Centre, the UAE will nevertheless be in need of even more blood donations in 2008-2009. In the first four months of 2008 demand for blood shot up by almost 20% compared to last year.  The demand for blood across the Emirates is predicted to escalate due to an increase in number of trauma patients, cancer patients, more surgeries and more invasive therapeutic modalities like blood and plasma exchange. Tawam will continue to manage the Regional Blood Services of the Eastern Region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi throughout 2008 and beyond, supporting the needs of both government and private sectors.

Tawam Hospital in affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine blood services’ strategic objectives for 2008 and beyond remain the same; to maintain self sufficiency of blood and blood components and to offer a world class blood services for the UAE. We will continue to raise funds for the blood services and create increased awareness for the need of blood donors among the public by arranging more campaigns this year. Tawam will make a significant difference!” added Heindel.

In 2006, the centre arranged 152 blood campaigns. In 2007, this number increased to 190. The number of campaigns organized by the hospital will continue to grow.