RIYADH: A blood donation campaign organized at King Fahad Medical City (KFMC) in Riyadh, Friday collected about 120 liters of blood for use in Haj emergencies. King Fahd Medical City Hospital had earlier announced that blood collected during various campaigns organized in Riyadh would be utilized to save the lives of pilgrims. With more than two million international pilgrims arriving in the Kingdom for Haj every year, Saudi authorities prepare for any eventuality, which includes provisions for health emergencies at hospitals set up in the holy sites in Makkah and Madina. About 300 volunteers, men and women, of various nationalities including Saudis, Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis, and Yemenis took part in the blood donation camp. The Riyadh-based Tamil Nadu Towheed Jamaath (TNTJ) mobilized a large group of volunteers to participate in the blood donation camp, said Engr. Faisal Mohamed, TNTJ General Secretary. Mohamed said TNTJ volunteers participated in the blood donation camp organized for Haj emergencies for the fourth year in a row. He described the act of blood donation as noble, saying that this will not only help save the lives of people in emergencies but is also a social responsibility. Blood bank officials at KFMCA followed standard health screening procedures which included pathological tests for communicable and other diseases. The medical team also carried out health checks, such as tests of blood pressure, sugar and hemoglobin before the donors were allowed to donate blood. According to KFMC blood bank officials, blood donors can donate up to 450 ml (one unit) of blood every two and a half or three months. The human body normally contains about five to six liters (10 to 12 units) of blood.
