Chairperson of Hamad Medical Corporation’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Dr. Einas Al Kuwari
Doha, Qatar: The Qatar National Blood Donation Center has played a crucial role in raising awareness and increasing participation in blood donation by becoming a central hub for related activities.
Since its opening in May 2024, there has been a noticeable shift in the demographics of blood donors, including greater participation from youth, women, and expatriates.
In an interview with The Peninsula, Chairperson of Hamad Medical Corporation’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Dr. Einas Al Kuwari discussed the impact of the Qatar National Blood Donation Center.
“Since the Qatar National Blood Donation Center opened, the level of enthusiasm and participation has been very positive. Many donors have shown consistent support, with a growing number of first-time and repeat donors,” said Dr. Al Kuwari.
“The center has successfully cultivated a culture of blood donation in Qatar, thanks to its accessible locations, efficient processes, and consistent efforts to raise awareness. The donor base has been steadily expanding as more people become aware of the life-saving importance of blood donation,” she added.
The Qatar National Blood Donation Center offers Therapeutic Plasma Exchange procedures for patients requiring plasma therapy and provides dedicated spaces for therapeutic phlebotomy, stem cell collection, and platelet apheresis. Its advanced facilities will house nine male and three female medical interview/assessment rooms, 18 male and eight female donation beds, and 12 beds for platelet collection.
The center regularly conducts educational campaigns, collaborations with schools, universities, and workplaces, army and utilizes social media platforms to spread awareness about the importance of blood donation. Additionally, the center has organized events, including mobile blood donation drives, to encourage people to donate and understand its life-saving impact.
“There has been a noticeable shift in the demographics of blood donors. The center has seen an increase in younger donors, especially from educational institutions and university campuses. Additionally, more female donors have been coming forward to donate blood, reflecting a more inclusive approach to blood donation.
There has also been an increase in donations from the expatriate community, who have been encouraged to participate in blood donation drives organized by the center, fostering a more diverse group of donors,” said Dr. Al Kuwari.
According to her, the Qatar National Blood Donation Center has continuously worked on improving the blood donation process.
“The Qatar National Blood Donation Center has been committed to refining the donation experience for both first-time and repeat donors,” Dr. Al Kuwari said. “Some key improvements include the use of modern donation equipment that ensures a smooth, safe, and efficient process for donors.”
Additionally, the introduction of an on-call booking system has made scheduling appointments more convenient for donors, reducing waiting times and enhancing the overall experience. “The on-call platform allows donors to schedule their appointments in advance, ensuring a more efficient process and a better experience overall,” Dr. Al Kuwari said.
The center has also focused on improving donor comfort. “We’ve designed the center to provide a calm, comfortable, and welcoming environment for all donors. Dedicated staff members are available to guide and support donors throughout the entire process,” Dr. Al Kuwari said.
To help donors recover more quickly, post-donation care has been enhanced. “We now have hydration stations and comfortable rest areas to ensure that donors feel supported and recover quickly after donation,”
Dr. Al Kuwari added. The Qatar National Blood Donation Center has also implemented several strategies to encourage regular blood donation, such as establishing fixed and mobile donation stations at convenient locations across Qatar. “We’ve set up donation stations at various locations to make it as easy as possible for people to donate blood, whether they’re at home, at work, or on the go,” said Dr. Al Kuwari.
In addition to regular campaigns and educational outreach programs, the center offers incentives and recognition to donors. “Donors are often recognized through rewards or certificates, acknowledging their contributions to the community,”
Dr. Al Kuwari mentioned. Collaborating with corporates, educational institutions, and the army is another strategy that has helped expand the donor base.
“By partnering with workplaces, universities, and the army, we’ve been able to tap into larger groups of potential donors, making regular donations a habit for more people,” said Dr. Al Kuwari.
