Directors of Arab blood banks will meet in UAE’s Sharjah Sunday to discuss ways to unify blood transfusion strategies and procedures, reported the Gulf News daily.
The four-day symposium will attended by speakers from Arab countries in addition to Japan, Germany, France, Holland and Switzerland, said the paper.
An Emirati health official emphasized the importance of setting guidelines for blood transfusions in the Arab world to avoid transmitted diseases, especially AIDS, and secure enough blood for emergencies.
The meeting will discuss the revival of the Arab Association for Blood Transfusion Services which ceased functioning more than ten years ago, said the paper.
Advanced methods of blood transfusion and the private sector's contribution will also be discussed, said the paper.
Meanwhile, Oman’s health ministry denied Saturday press reports saying that the ministry imported contaminated blood, reported the Omani News Agency (ONA).
"The company which allegedly produced the blood products was not registered with the ministry," a ministry official told the agency, adding that the ministry has never dealt with the company.
The agency said that the ministry has stopped importing blood from outside Oman since 1991.
"The ministry depends on local donations to meet its requirements for blood supplies," said the source – Albawaba.com
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