Blood donors to subject to West Nile Virus Test [Emirates News Agency (WAM) (United Arab Emirates)]

Sharjah, 8th July 2012 /WAM/ - Sharjah Blood Transfusion and Research Center at the Ministry of Health will apply the new "West Nile Virus" test on blood donors at all the ministry s blood donation banks.

Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practices and Licensing at the Ministry of Health and Chairman of the National Blood Transfusion Committee, stated that the new procedure comes in implementation of the American Association for Blood Banks /AABB/ to ensure blood transfusion safety and apply all the necessary blood tests in all blood transfusion centers worldwide.

"The new procedure was applied since last June in Sharjah Blood Transfusion Center to ensure the safety of blood transfusion especially on routine blood tests that are taken blood donors and guarantee their safety and free of infectious diseases before giving them to needy patients. It is very important to ensure the blood s safety and follow the adequate and modern medical tests", he elaborated.

Dr. Al Amiri emphasized that the ministry included these tests as part of its concern to prevent the dissemination of viral infections that can be transmitted among donors especially those coming from countries that are inhabited with insects and maybe carriers of this virus.

Sharjah Blood Transfusion and Research Center takes all necessary precautions to apply modern technologies and international procedures that would support the safety of blood donors and blood component recipients.