Arab League has underscored the importance of the regular blood donation in saving lives and introducing the achievements and challenges facing the national blood banks, in addition to helping young people internalize the culture of voluntary blood donation.

In a statement to mark the World Blood Donor Day that falls on June 14 each year, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Social Affairs Sector of the League of Arab states Ambassador Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazala affirmed that the World Health Organization (WHO) opted for the “20 years of celebrating giving: thank you blood donors!” as the motto of this year, highlighting that this day is an opportunity to echo the significance of this topic and extend thanks to millions of voluntary blood donors worldwide.

Dr. Abu Ghazala pointed out the Council of Arab Ministers for Health recognized the criticality of marshalling the Arab efforts in blood transfusion service, and therefore the Arab Authority for Blood Transfusion Services (AABTS) was established under
the council’s resolution in 1979 as an authority operating under the council’s umbrella with prime objectives to advance blood transfusion in the Arab region, share Arab expertise in blood transfusion and regulate exchange of blood and its derivatives among the member states when necessary and enforce the overall quality system and blood transfusion measures.

Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League added that the Council of Arab Ministers for Heath took a decision in its ordinary 60th session convened in May 2024, on AABTS which included the endorsement of amendments on its statute, in addition to welcoming the Qatar’s hosting of the 14th Blood Transfusion Medicine Conference in the last quarter of 2024, noting the council’s endorsement of the Arab award for blood transfusion services, a biennial prize which is granted those who offer superb services in blood transfusion field.

Source: Qatar News Agency