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Donating blood ‘humanitarian’ act
Blood donors often feel as if they are helping humankind.
One of Ayman’s brothers also suffers from the disease. They receive transfusions once a month, sometimes twice.
Ali Al-Samadi, Ayman’s father, said his sons receive treatment at the Yemeni Association for Thalassemia.
He also praised the National Center for Blood Transfusion and Research (NCBTR).
There, a specialized doctor tests his sons’ blood to see how much needs to be transfused, if any. If blood is needed, they go to the National Center for Blood Transfusion and Research, where all all blood types are available.
“NCBTR is an important blood provider for thalassemia patients,” Al-Samadi said. “I thank all the blood donors who help these patients.”
Ayman and his brother are the center’s only patients who need the blood to survive.
NCBTR Manager Dr. Fawzi Baraheem said blood donations are a humanitarian action that helps prevent deteriorated health.
Baraheem said the center does its best to provide services for health and cancer centers, the thalassemia association and emergency centers delivering immediate treatment for injury accidents and women with blood loss while giving birth.
A lack of blood donors means a short blood supply, and some patients have critical health conditions making it hazardous to wait long for a transfusion, according to Baraheem.
NCBTR’s Dr.Buhianah Ali said donating blood could help lower class families who find it difficult to look for or to buy blood. Al-Samadi also said blood donations can stop some blood donors from manipulating the sick.
Concerns regarding blood donation
Many Yemenis have concerns about transfusions, thinking it transmits diseases.
“There is no need to worry about blood transfusions because blood renews itself every three months,” Ali said. “The blood portion given to the patient is less than one liter of the entire amount in a body.”
Dr. Amani Al-Asbahi, an NCBTR employee, said viruses can’t be transmitted to the blood donor because medical tools are sterilized and never re-used.
Al-Asbahi said the blood donor is usually in good health, so there aren’t side effects. The center cares for the donor’s health just as it does the patient, she said.
Some blood donors think blood donating is the least they can do.
Suha Al-Hamadi, a blood donor, said that blood donation is a humanitarian duty; many patients need this blood for their survival.
“Blood donation is an easy process, and it poses no dangers,” Al-Hamadi said. “Juice and water can compensate the donor for the blood drawn.”
In her opinion, donating blood improves a blood donor’s health as well as the blood recipient’s, she said.
Isam Al-Idaroos, a blood donor, said he donated blood and felt normal after.
“Donating blood gives a broad grin to a human on the brink of his demise; therefore, blood donation is important,” Al-Idaroos said.
