Damascus, June 14 (SANA) The Ministry of Health on Sunday launched a three-day campaign at the Blood Bank in Damascus to mark World Blood Donor Day under the slogan “Your blood donation is life for others,” promoting voluntary blood donation and humanitarian solidarity.
Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed Al-Saleh, who participated in the event and donated blood, told SANA that blood donation is a humanitarian and moral responsibility that can save lives. He said coordination between blood banks and hospitals is ongoing and that donor numbers in Syria often exceed demand.
Mustafa Al-Jazi, Director General of the General Establishment for Blood Banks, said the institution operates 36 branches across governorates and major cities. He said around 325 donors had registered in Damascus, while turnout in other governorates ranged between 200 and 300 donors on average. He added that donated blood is essential for cancer, thalassemia, immune disorder and emergency patients.
Ghalia Al-Rais, Executive Director of the “For the Homeland” organization, said blood donation is a humanitarian act that saves lives and encourages a culture of giving.
According to 2026 indicators from Syria’s National Blood Transfusion Services, 28 blood transfusion centers are operational and eight are inactive. The centers collected about 235,000 blood units and supplied around 344,000 units of blood and blood derivatives to hospitals and medical facilities nationwide.
World Blood Donor Day, observed annually on June 14, raises awareness of the need for safe blood supplies and recognizes voluntary donors for their life-saving contributions. The day marks the birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, who discovered the ABO blood group system.
M.F
