85 frontline workers donate blood

 Imran Mojib, Special Correspondent

During these testing times of a pandemic, frontline workers in Al Ain have set an example to the world by donating blood to encourage donors. There has been a significant fall in voluntary blood donation across the world since the outbreak of Covid-19. The case in the UAE is no different.

The frontline workers and staff of VPS Healthcare’s three facilities in the region have responded to the need of patients in the hospitals for blood or blood components. The special blood donation drive held at Burjeel Royal Hospital, Medeor Hospital, and Burjeel Medical Centre was attended by over 200 people, of which over 85 persons donated blood.

The act of the frontline heroes, who are waging a relentless battle against the virus, is significant in this scenario. Coincidentally, the drive coincided with the holy month of Ramadan adding more value and meaning to the exercise.

Hamad Al Mulla, Director of Regional Blood Bank Al Ain, thanked VPS Healthcare for its support and cooperation in the campaign. “Burjeel Royal and Medeor Hospitals in the region have always been active participants of the blood donation campaign organised by SEHA in the region. We believe it would continue to extend its cooperation in the coming days as well.”

  Dr. Arun Menon, Regional Director of VPS Healthcare’s Al Ain region, said that they have been organising blood donation drives in association with SEHA for a long time.

  “We conduct multiple blood donation drives annually. This time is more special as we are fighting a deadly virus,” he said, adding that more members were willing to donate blood but there are certain criteria to be met for this.

  Apart from the frontline workers, the staff of the three medical facilities also participated in the drive.

  VPS Healthcare has been in the forefront in the fight against Covid-10 pandemic. In the very beginning, the Abu Dhabi-based healthcare provider had donated sanitisers, wipes, face masks, vitamin tablets, gloves and other disinfection products worth Dhs1 million to the Ministry of Education.

  Extending a helping hand to the UAE’s efforts to fight coronavirus (COVID-19), VPS Healthcare’s donation was proved to be a major support to the officials of the department, particularly when the demand for face masks and products such as sanitisers were high in the market.