U.A.E. Implements Policy Preventing People From Malaria-Endemic Countries From Donating Blood
The United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Health recently adopted a policy that prevents people who have visited malaria-endemic countries from donating blood until six months after they return, the Gulf News reports. Ameen Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary for blood transfusion and research services at the health ministry, said the policy was adopted based on recommendations from the World Health Organization, which in January recognized the United Arab Emirates as a malaria-free country. He confirmed the policy after a group of people from India and Pakistan were turned away after attempting to donate blood at a drive last week, the Gulf News reports.
"All these guidelines are for the safety of our patients," Al Amiri said, adding that the people were turned away not because of their nationalities but "because of new WHO guidelines that malaria is increasing" in some countries, including India and Pakistan. Other blood donation guidelines restrict people who recently received surgery, blood transfusions, organ transplants and tattoos or those who traveled to countries with high numbers of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis cases, according to the Gulf News. The policies also restrict people who lived in the United Kingdom between 1980 and 1996 from donating blood unless they are approved by United Arab Emirates officials (Menon/Muslim, Gulf News, 5/22).
