After the summer period, when donors are scarce, blood stocks at transfusion centers are at the limit of the critical threshold. Without a general commitment, the situation can get worse.
To this end, the regional blood transfusion centers are mobilizing, at the central level but also at that of the mobile units, to replenish and stabilize these stocks, oh so precious, and to avoid any shortage.
It is in this sense that, in a CSR and civic approach, the information site Hespress organized a day of blood collection at its headquarters in Rabat in collaboration with the Blood Transfusion Center of Rabat.
About twenty journalists and collaborators of Hespress took part in this campaign, carried out by two mobile teams from the National Blood Transfusion Centre, headed by Dr. Ikram Chahboun, responsible for promoting blood samples at the Transfusion Centre.
The average number of blood donors in Rabat varies between 50 and 100 people, which remains well below the objective of 250 to 300 blood bags per day, she explained to us.
To achieve this goal, two to three mobile teams work outside the center for collections, which aim to give people who cannot come to the data center the opportunity to have their blood, she says. .
And to add that “che mobile teams go to public and private establishments in Rabat and even to other towns in the region such as Temara and Skhirate depending on demand, like what we did with Hespress today. We therefore make arrangements with the donor establishment beforehand, and we set a date for the collection« .
Contraindications that limit the number of donors
Asked if these collections outside make up for the shortage of blood in the region, Dr. Chahboun points out that this is not always the case.
« Normally, for this to be sufficient, the donor organization must have a large staff of at least 100 people who volunteer for the donation. From these 100 people, we take some 60 to 70%, because we always come across contraindications that must be respected. Not everyone is fit to donate blood“, specifies the specialist.
Among these contraindications to blood donation, Dr. Chahboun cites chronic diseases such as unbalanced diabetics, unbalanced hypertensives, people with autoimmune diseases. There are also acute illnesses and infections that are contraindicated, people who are forced to take medication for a short period of time, she explains, noting that there are medications that contraindicate the gift for a short period, others for a long period. Afterwards, it is the doctor present at the time of the donation, who can decide whether the donor is fit to donate or not.
« Sometimes we go to the donor establishment, but there are not enough people able to donate blood. If I give the example of Rabat, we are obliged to collect 250 to 300 pockets per day, because we have requests that reach 250-300 daily requests for pockets. At the national level, the number rises to 1,000 / day “details Dr. Chiboub
This difference is due to the location of hospitals and clinics in large cities such as Casablanca, Tangier, Rabat, Fez, Marrakech, which consume a lot of blood. Afterwards, it varies according to the periods, notes the specialist.
« During the summer, there are operations that are scheduled after the holidays. In addition, the summer period is experiencing a drop in donations, people are busy with holidays, Aid, back to school. So there are periods that are critical and that lower the blood supply“, notes the specialist.
Mobile collection: A good way to raise awareness
During mobile blood collection from a private or public establishment, the on-site team not only picks up the bags, but also educates people to donate blood to save lives and to go by themselves at the centers.
« This is the whole purpose of our travels. Normally, each of us should donate blood at least twice a year. For men every two months, and for women every three months. Do not exceed 5 times for men per year and 3 times for women per year. Thanks to the collections that we do from establishments in addition to raising awareness, there are some who become regular donors. When we travel, it’s for collection and awareness too“, she says proudly.
The teams of the Rabat National Blood Transfusion Center do not only target companies, but also universities and high schools, provided that the donor is aged 18 or over.
« For universities, we go there regularly during the school period between October and June. Then we have to look elsewhere“, emphasizes Dr. Chihoub.
Currently, the stock of blood available in the Rabat region is neither excellent nor weak, assures us the specialist.
« We are average. To have a safety stock, it is necessary to cover 5 days. Today we are 3 days away“, she concludes.