Special movement permit for blood donors during lockdown in Oman

Muscat: People who wish to donate blood during the hours of the lockdown will be issued a pass by the Department of Blood Bank Services, so that they can pass through traffic checkpoints.

“Due to the urgent need to continue the donation of blood and its derivatives, and to enable blood donors to do so, coordination has been achieved between the Ministry of Health, and the other necessary authorities to allow donors to go to blood banks during the movement ban,” said the DBBS in a statement. “Donors will be granted a temporary permit allowing them to give blood.”

Appointments to give blood must be booked two days in advance, owing to the current circumstances. Those who intend to give blood can send a WhatsApp message to 94555648. They will then be issued with a pass that can be showed at traffic checkpoints.

Once they have completed their donation, the blood bank will issue them another temporary pass, which will enable them to get back home.

The blood bank in Boushar is open between 8 am and 8 pm from Saturday to Thursday, and from 3 pm to 8 pm on Fridays. It will, however, be shut on the first day of Eid Al Adha, July 20.

“In view of the sharp drop in blood groups levels witnessed by blood banks during this period, we appeal to everyone to take the initiative to donate blood,” added the DBBS.

“Out of concern for the sustainability of blood availability for the cases that need it, we would like to emphasise the need to continue donating blood during the next week, since the need for blood is continuous.”

The DBBS said it was facing increasing shortages of O positive blood, asking people to donate at the earliest.

“O positive blood group levels continue to decrease due to continuous demand and a lack of donors over the past period,” said the organisation. “Support us to meet the needs of patients who require blood. Donate blood today.”