Muscat – Oman will mark International Volunteer Day on December 5 with a major blood donation drive at Mall of Muscat, underscoring the nation’s strong culture of community service. The campaign, organised by the Waai Al Hayat Team in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, aims to boost voluntary blood donation and strengthen national blood […]

Muscat – Oman will mark International Volunteer Day on December 5 with a major blood donation drive at Mall of Muscat, underscoring the nation’s strong culture of community service. The campaign, organised by the Waai Al Hayat Team in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, aims to boost voluntary blood donation and strengthen national blood banks.

The event will take place on December 2 from 4pm to 9pm under the slogan ‘Donate a drop of your blood’, giving visitors an opportunity to make a lifesaving contribution. This year’s observance carries added significance as International Volunteer Day 2025 marks the global launch of the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026), held under the theme ‘Every Contribution Matters’.

Ahmed bin Hamad al Kharousi, supervisor of the Waai Al Hayat Team and a frequent donor with a remarkable personal record of 219 blood donations, said 25 volunteers from several governorates have been mobilised for the campaign. The team continues to conduct workshops in colleges, schools and clubs across the sultanate.

“This campaign aims to spread awareness on the importance of blood donation and to foster a deeper culture of volunteer work among all members of society,” Kharousi told Muscat Daily. “It is also our way of honouring International Volunteer Day.”

He noted that voluntary blood donation reflects a humanitarian spirit deeply rooted in Oman and the wider Gulf. “I would like to send a message to people everywhere, introducing them to an inspiring side of humanitarian work in Oman and the region, where blood donation campaigns have become symbols of generosity and compassion.”

Kharousi added that blood donation is an act of solidarity that strengthens the values of empathy and social responsibility. “A single drop of blood can be the difference between despair and hope… between losing a life and saving one,” he said. “Our volunteers have shown that giving is measured by the impact it leaves.”

International Volunteer Day highlights the contributions of volunteers worldwide who reinforce health systems, support vulnerable communities and build more resilient societies. This year’s theme, ‘Every Contribution Matters’, is a reminder that everyone has something meaningful to offer — and that every cause, from hunger to climate action to humanitarian relief, benefits from the dedication of volunteers.

The Waai Al Hayat Team has urged eligible donors to participate and support a nationwide effort promoting the values of giving and collective responsibility.

According to the Central Blood Bank in Bausher, Oman recorded a 4% rise in blood donations in 2024, collecting 43,122 blood units and 2,636 blood-component units. First-time donors accounted for 46% of contributions, while Omanis made up 77% of all donors. Notably, 98% of donations were voluntary.

The blood bank has encouraged citizens and residents to donate every three months to meet rising demand. Oman conducted 381 blood donation campaigns in 2024, continuing a steady upward trend. Collections have grown from 28,613 units in 2020 to 32,741 in 2021, 39,712 in 2022, 41,139 in 2023 and 43,122 in 2024.