Saudis urged to donate blood as pandemic hits stock levels worldwide

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Health authorities are seeking to encourage more people to give blood. (Supplied)
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Updated 06 February 2022
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Saudis urged to donate blood as pandemic hits stock levels worldwide

  • Survey shows lockdowns, misinformation and a lack of knowledge widened the gap between demand and supply
  • Health experts want healthy Saudis to donate blood to help boost stock levels affected by pandemic restrictions

JEDDAH: Health systems the world over have been stretched to their absolute limits by successive waves of COVID-19, which have resulted in crowded hospitals, delayed medical procedures, and doctors and nurses becoming exhausted and overstretched.

A secondary consequence of the global health emergency has been the depletion of blood stocks required for life-saving transfusions, use during surgeries, and to treat medical conditions such as anemia, cancer and blood disorders.

Lockdown measures and strict controls on attending hospitals have prevented many people from donating blood. Even when restrictions have been lifted, COVID-19 infections and the fear of infection have kept a swathe of potential donors at home. 




Prince Salman, as Governor of Riyadh, donates blood in the 1980s. (SPA)

Faced with the resulting shortages, health authorities in Saudi Arabia are keen to boost the Kingdom’s blood stock levels, which need to be constantly replenished to meet demand.

“There is an increased need for blood. (The situation has) worsened around the world due to the pandemic. The call is constant,” Dr. Maha Badawi, a hematology consultant and the director of blood transfusion services at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, told Arab News.

“COVID-19 negatively impacted blood supply globally and the problem was due to several factors. Although COVID-19 isn’t transmitted by blood, COVID-19-positive patients and individuals who were exposed to positive cases were required to isolate for periods of time to curb the spread of the infection.

“Another impact was the social-distancing measures. Mass campaigns and initiatives were suspended, restricting the number of donors in turn.” 




Raising public awareness and encouraging more donors to come forward is one of the many ways to keep the Kingdom’s blood banks adequately supplied. (SPA)

As a result, Saudi Arabia is now experiencing a shortage of type O in its stocks of red blood cells, and type AB in plasma stocks.

A retrospective study by King Abdullah Hospital in Bisha revealed a 39.5 percent decrease in donations to blood banks during the pandemic. Demand for blood also decreased during the same period, by 21.7 percent, probably as a result of the many surgeries that had to be canceled.

A study titled Awareness About Coronavirus and Challenges for Blood Services among Potential Blood Donors, published in 2021 in the medical journal Transfusion and Apheresis Science, used survey data drawn from a cross-section of the Saudi population to assess the factors that had prevented people from donating blood.

It found that social-distancing measures, misinformation about ways in which the disease can be transmitted, and a lack of knowledge among potential blood donors may have contributed to the prevalence of missed or postponed donations.

The majority of people surveyed said they were concerned about the virus being transmitted during the blood-donation process. Others were worried about coming into contact with fellow donors. 




Maintaining ample blood stocks is an essential part of the preparations for responding to major incidents, such as natural disasters. (SPA)

The authors of the study advised health authorities to promote better donor education, encourage at-risk donors to defer donations, facilitate physical-distancing measures, and enforce the use of personal protective equipment to protect donors and medical staff.

In the face of these concerns, campaigns have been launched in the Kingdom to reassure the public and encourage them to donate blood.

“The need is constant and each hospital blood bank requires a continuous flow to maintain its daily stock, depending on the hospital’s needs,” said Badawi.

“Because the longevity of donated blood components varies, so too does the availability of supply. Some components can be stored for a month or two, whereas others can be stored up to five days at a maximum, which means you constantly need donors.”

Red blood cells can normally be stored for up to 35 days but platelets can only be held for seven. Plasma can be stored for up to three years.

A number of conditions require patients to have regular blood transfusions, including sickle cell disease, a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. Healthy red blood cells are round and move smoothly through small blood vessels as they carry oxygen throughout the body. In a patient who has SCD, the red blood cells are hard and sticky and resemble a crescent or “sickle” shape.

These sickle cells die much quicker than regular red blood cells, which results in a constant shortage of red blood cells. In addition, as they travel through small blood vessels they can get stuck and block the blood flow, which can cause pain and serious medical problems. 




Raising public awareness and encouraging more donors to come forward is one of the many ways to keep the Kingdom’s blood banks adequately supplied. (SPA)

In Saudi Arabia, about 4.2 percent of the population carries the gene for SCD and about 0.26 percent experiences symptoms.

“Blood transfusion is an effective treatment option for sickle cell patients as it lowers the amount of hemoglobin S in the red blood cells and increases the numbers of normal red blood cells, thus increasing the supply of oxygen to the body,” Dr. Qasim Dobie, an assistant professor of hematology at Jazan University, told Arab News.

“So frequent blood transfusions will lower the risk of stroke, especially in infants and children, and treat and prevent the severe complications of sickle cell disease.”

Maintaining ample blood stocks is also an essential part of the preparations for responding to major incidents, such as natural disasters or mass-casualty terrorist attacks, which might cause hospitals to be overwhelmed by demand for transfusions.

Currently, donors in the Kingdom must be at least 17 years old, weigh more than 50 kg and pass a brief medical examination. Saudi health authorities have made efforts to bolster the number of donation centers in a number of ways, including the introduction of a fleet of mobile clinics to make it easier for donors to attend.

FASTFACTS

56 - Ideal number of days between whole blood donations.

3 - Number of lives that can be saved with a single donation.

10 - Average adult’s blood volume in pints.

1 - Typical amount, in pints, of whole blood taken during donation.

(Source: Cedars-Sinai)

But medical practitioners say there is still room for improvement, particularly in terms of raising public awareness and encouraging more donors to come forward.

“Lack of awareness is one of the leading causes of the drop in blood donations,” said Badawi. “Blood is the best donation one can give to another human being. There are blood drives all year round.”

One of the Saudi initiatives is Wateen, an innovative smartphone app currently under the supervision of the Kingdom’s Ministry of Health. 




Health authorities are seeking to encourage more people to give blood. (Supplied)

Wateen makes it easier for citizens and residents to manage blood donations by helping registered donors find the nearest clinic, keep track of when they are next due to give blood, and be aware of how many times they have donated in total.

“Since its initiation in 2018, Wateen has served as a means to unite donors and blood banks under one platform to help maintain adequate stocks,” Meshari Almalki, a spokesperson for Wateen, told Arab News.

“There’s a difference between a voluntary donation and a family/replacement donation. The latter is mainly done through direct messages from family members or acquaintances. The former is what we aim to empower and raise more awareness of.”

More than half a million registered users have made 1.1 million donations through the platform since it was launched. Year-round campaign attract many new donors but misunderstandings and misinformation can still cause potential donors to be apprehensive.

“There’s a fear that donors won’t be compatible, fear of needles or pain, fear of feeling faint or dizzy after donating, and fear of adverse reactions,” said Almalki. 




Each hospital blood bank requires a continuous flow to maintain its daily stock, depending on the hospital’s needs. 
(Supplied)

“These are all understandable. That’s why there are medical personnel to ensure the safety and health of donors and recipients. There are standard procedures that apply and that’s why, after conducting a survey, we launched our latest campaign to tackle these fears head on and hosted a therapist to answer all the questions.”

Resources such as the Wateen app are helping to narrow the gap between demand and supply of blood. But if the constant demand is to be met and blood stocks are to be replenished following the drain caused by the pandemic, more needs to be done to attract and reassure new donors.

“As far as health institutions go, all would benefit from more collaboration between the government authorities, the private sector, the education field and others for campaigns,” said Badawi.

“The campaigns don’t necessarily need to solely focus on blood-donation drives but could include lectures, talks and information sessions that highlight the importance of donating blood and refute falsehoods to activate a community of blood donors.

“Making it a habit to donate twice a year could make a significant impact. Take a friend or family member along — they’ll make it a habit, too.”


‘Songs of Silence in Nature’: Chinese artist Shu Li honored in Riyadh 

Updated 04 July 2025
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‘Songs of Silence in Nature’: Chinese artist Shu Li honored in Riyadh 

  • Artist’s work depicts serene scenes of mountains and lakes
  • Exhibition showcases cultural ties between China and Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Art Pure Gallery Foundation is currently hosting an exhibition, “Songs of Silence in Nature,” by the renowned Chinese artist Shu Li.

Organized in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia, the exhibition opened on June 24, 2024 and will run until July 25, 2025 in the Saudi capital. 

A leading figure in contemporary Chinese art, Shu Li has held distinguished roles within China’s national cultural institutions.

His works have been showcased in more than 20 countries, including the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Italy. 

He has received numerous international accolades in countries such as Russia, Belgium, the US, Ukraine and India, and is a distinguished academician of the Russian Academy of Arts. 

His paintings are featured in some of China’s most iconic venues, including the National Art Museum of China, the Great Hall of the People, and the headquarters of the Chinese Communist Party.

He has also published more than 20 catalogues chronicling his artistic evolution. 

Shu Li’s work blends traditional Chinese techniques with a distinctly contemporary sensibility.

Characterized by tranquil landscapes, his pieces often depict mist-shrouded mountains and serene lakes. These works invite viewers to enter a meditative and reflective state. 

“Art is not merely a visual encounter,” the artist explained, “but an emotional journey.

“Through my oil paintings, I aim to capture those fleeting moments of beauty that enrich our daily existence.

“My work is a dialogue between the canvas and the world it portrays — a world where light dances across surfaces and color speaks more powerfully than words.

“Each painting is an exploration of texture, form and the expressive potential of oil as a medium. I draw inspiration from nature, human experience and the myriad ways in which art connects us to both. I invite viewers to do more than just observe my work; I want them to feel it and enter the narrative that each painting weaves.”  

This exhibition is part of an increasing cultural dialogue between China and Saudi Arabia. It reflects the desire of both countries to strengthen their artistic exchange and deepen the ties between these two ancient and influential civilizations. 

Contemporary Chinese art embodies a rich synthesis of millennia-old traditions and modern perspectives.

Since the late-20th century, Chinese artists have experimented with various forms, including painting, sculpture, installation and video, to explore the tensions between heritage, rapid urbanization and evolving social realities.  

Often merging classical craftsmanship with avant-garde techniques, they explore themes of identity, collective memory and the challenges of the present age. 

Today, China’s vibrant art scene is widely recognized internationally, with many leading Chinese artists playing a pivotal role in reshaping the global contemporary art landscape. 

The Art Pure Gallery Foundation is a leading Saudi cultural institution founded in 1999.


AI training for 334,000 Saudi citizens completed

Updated 04 July 2025
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AI training for 334,000 Saudi citizens completed

  • Launched in September 2024, AI skills program targets citizens of all ages and professional backgrounds

RIYADH: A total of 334,000 Saudi Arabia citizens have benefitted from a government program aimed at empowering citizens with artificial intelligence skills, according to the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.

The “One Million Saudis in AI” program was set up in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in September 2024.

During the keynote session of the Non-Profit Sector Forum in Education and Training 2025 in Riyadh on July 2, SDAIA chief Abdullah Alghamdi highlighted key features of the program.

He said the partnerships the authority had forged with other government agencies have positioned the Kingdom globally in empowering women in AI, and community awareness, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

Launched at the Global AI Summit, the SAMAI initiative targets citizens across all age groups and professional backgrounds.

Alghamdi also cited several national initiatives that resulted from this collaboration, including the National Olympiad for Programming and Artificial Intelligence, or ATHKA Competition.

More than 260,000 male and female students from intermediate and secondary schools participated, with 10,000 advancing to the final stage, he said.

One key initiative cited by the SDAIA chief was the “Road to ATHKA,” which trained more than 570,000 students on AI concepts.

Another was the “Future Intelligence Programmers” initiative, which trained over 10,000 teachers.

The SDAIA and Education Ministry had also established the Center for Excellence in Education.

This was “designed to institutionalize technological integration within the education sector, sustain future-oriented initiatives, and leverage AI to enhance learning outcomes.”


Saudi crown prince receives UAE national security advisor

Updated 04 July 2025
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Saudi crown prince receives UAE national security advisor

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received UAE National Security Advisor Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Salam Palace in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The crown prince and Shiekh Tahnoun, who is also the deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi, discussed relations between the Kingdom and the UAE and ways to enhance them.


Saudi authorities close 996 establishments over health violations 

Updated 03 July 2025
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Saudi authorities close 996 establishments over health violations 

RIYADH: A total of 5,912 inspections covering 4,307 establishments were carried out across the Kingdom by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority in April and May.

A total of 996 were shut down due to various violations, while 136 were closed for operating without required licenses and for product safety breaches.

Additionally, production lines at 127 establishments were halted and 1,750 types of products were seized.

The initiative is part of the SFDA’s efforts to ensure compliance with approved regulations and to uphold high quality standards.

At one food establishment, inspectors found raw materials of an unknown origin, employees without health certificates, the absence of a tracking system and inadequate measures being taken to prevent cross-contamination. These led to the closure of the business and the implementation of necessary legal measures.
 


Need for global collaboration to fight drought stressed

Updated 03 July 2025
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Need for global collaboration to fight drought stressed

  • Saudi Arabia, along with partners, launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership on the first day of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development

RIYADH: As part of the Kingdom’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of desertification, improve air quality and achieve its sustainable development goals, Saudi Arabia, along with partners, launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership on the first day of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development.

Held in Seville, Spain, from June 30 to July 3, the four-day event saw the participation of 70 countries, including attendance by local and international ministers, environmental organizations and financial development entities.

Among the participants was Saudi Deputy Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture Osama Faqeeha.

Faqeeha, who is also the adviser to the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties Presidency, emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts and innovation to address the escalating threat of climate change that resulted in complicated and devastating environmental issues such as drought.

Faqeeha said: “The Riyadh Drought Resilience Partnership will serve as a global facilitator, a ‘one-stop shop’ for drought resilience, promoting the shift from reactive relief response after drought hits to proactive preparedness.

“We also seek to amplify global resources to save lives and livelihoods around the world.”

The deputy minister said that solutions should be applied through strategies and mechanisms to ensure enhanced resilience in the areas that were mostly affected by drought and climate change globally.

He praised the partnership with the International Drought Resilience Alliance, a global coalition that aims to build resilience against droughts and climate change. 

He said it was fundamental to bridging the gap between the political and financial aspects to ensure the achievement of long-term sustainable development objectives.

The discussion highlighted some of the national efforts and strategies for environmental sustainability, including efforts by the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Islamic Development Bank and the CAF Development Bank of Latin America.