Since launching plasma donation project in Egypt, 2K turned up at centers

CAIRO – 24 August 2021: Minister of Health and Population Hala Zayed declared Tuesday that the number of plasma donors has amounted to 2,003 since July 14.

Donation is made at six centers located across five governorates, and consisting of a total of 99 plasma separation devices.

Those lie in Giza's Agouza, and the regional blood transfer centers at Cairo's Salam City and Abaseya, Alexandria, Gharbia's Tanta, and Menya. Further, 20 other plasma donation centers will be completed this year.

The donor has to be at least 18 years old, and not have donated blood in less than three years. Depending on the donor's health condition, 250-750 milliliter of plasma get extracted so as red blood cells are injected back to the body through tubes that are used only once.

Plasma donation can be made every two weeks, and it stimulates the bone marrow to produce new blood cells, as indicated by Nevine al-Nahas, General Supervisor of Plasma Donation Project.

The centers receive donors from 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and potential donors can place their queries via the hotline 15335.

The ministry had earlier stated that Egypt is expected to achieve self-sufficiency of plasma within 6-8 years where exporting will begin. Now, Egypt imports its needs of plasma derivatives to treat burn injuries, cancer, haemophilia, and diseases of the liver, kidneys, and immunity.