In 2024, over 800,000 people in Saudi Arabia donated blood, as the Kingdom pushes for 100% voluntary donations/ Image:SPA
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, donated blood on Thursday to launch the Kingdom’s annual national blood donation campaign. The act was described by top Saudi officials as a gracious gesture and an extension of the Saudi leadership’s humanitarian approach.The campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of voluntary blood donation and to help the Kingdom become fully self-sufficient in blood and related components. Officials stressed the need for ensuring the availability of safe and sustainable blood stocks that meet the needs of the population. According to official figures, more than 800,000 people donated blood in Saudi Arabia in 2024.The initiative reflects HRH the Crown Prince’s commitment to humanitarian work and the Saudi leadership’s support for national healthcare efforts, with the goal of reaching 100 percent voluntary blood donation. The campaign aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and its focus on building a healthy and vibrant society. A single donation, the campaign noted, can help save lives by providing blood, plasma, or platelets. Applauding the crown prince’s gesture, the Ministry of Health posted on X: “The Leader’s Giving … A Role Model for the Nation. The donation of His Highness #Crown_Prince is a humanitarian message to establish blood donation as a national value, support the voluntary work system in the health sector, and ensure the provision of safe blood supplies to meet the need.” Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel thanked the Crown Prince for his generous blood donation and for his ongoing, “unlimited support for humanitarian work through the launch of the blood donation campaign.” He stated that the initiative embodies a firm commitment to promoting a culture of giving and community solidarity, and to raising the rate of voluntary blood donations to support the health sector.Al-Jalajel added that the campaign is an extension of other humanitarian initiatives undertaken by the Saudi leadership, including the Crown Prince and King Salman being among the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and registering in the national organ donation program. “These initiatives reflect a solid approach to healthcare and improving quality of life,” said the minister, who also called on all members of society to donate blood.Officials described HRH the Crown Prince’s donation as a significant humanitarian gesture that reinforces community awareness, sets an inspiring example, and motivates individuals to embrace a culture of giving and contribute to saving lives through voluntary initiatives.
