
Oman's Central Blood Bank calls for urgent blood donations
Muscat – The Central Blood Bank in Bausher has issued an urgent appeal for blood and platelet donations in anticipation of the upcoming Eid al Fitr holiday. Authorities warn that this period typically sees a significant drop in donor numbers, which could lead to critical shortages for patients in need.
To address this challenge, the blood bank is urging individuals to come forward and donate during Ramadan. Donation timings have been adjusted to accommodate both morning and evening hours, with morning donations available from Sunday to Thursday between 8:00am and 12:30pm, and evening donations open daily from 7:30pm to 11:30pm local time. The final opportunity for platelet donations each evening will be at 10:30 PM.
The appeal comes as hospitals and medical facilities prepare for increased demand, and officials stress that community participation is vital in ensuring a stable supply of blood and its components. The Central Blood Bank in Bausher remains open to all eligible donors, and those willing to contribute can contact the helpline at 124441999 for further information.
With every donation potentially saving multiple lives, authorities are calling on the public to step forward and make a difference during this crucial time.

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Observer
26-03-2025
- Observer
Fun for some, nuisance for others
MUSCAT, MARCH 26 Hospitals annually record fire cracker-related injuries and fatalities especially during holiday seasons. Given the danger these pose to children and others, authorities have resorted to regulating the use and sale of crackers. As Eid Al Fitr approaches, the sound of firecrackers in residential neighbourhoods has increased, becoming more frequent due to their widespread availability among children, according to Mohammed al Raisi. This has become a source of concern for many families because of the health and psychological risks it poses, in addition to the disturbance it causes for the elderly and the sick. Despite continuous warnings about their dangers, fireworks are still widely used, necessitating intensified awareness and regulatory efforts. Al Raisi stressed the importance of not being complacent in addressing this issue, whether through laws or awareness campaigns. Al Raisi also urged people to educate their children about the dangers of these fireworks and alert authorities. Dr Reem al Zaabi warned that fireworks may lead to severe injuries such as burns and, in some cases blindness or loss of limbs due to the force of the explosion. She also explained that the loud noise produced by these fireworks could damage ears, leading to permanent hearing loss or persistent ringing (tinnitus). Toxic fumes from fireworks can cause breathing difficulties for the elderly and asthma patients. Al Zaabi further noted that the dangers of fireworks are not limited to physical harm but can cause excessive anxiety and fear in children, affecting their sleep and leading to nightmares. Given these challenges, addressing the issue of fireworks remains a shared responsibility between authorities and society. Continuous awareness campaigns, strict enforcement of regulations and tightened control over the distribution of these fireworks can help reduce the risks they pose to people's lives and safety. The Royal Oman Police warns of the consequences of using fireworks, due to the serious harm they cause to individuals and society. As part of its efforts to protect public safety and security, ROP said it will continue to tighten control over all border posts to stop smuggling of crackers. The police will pursue individuals involved in smuggling and trafficking fireworks and take legal action against them. Smugglers of fireworks face imprisonment for up to three years, a fine, or both penalties, in addition to the confiscation of the seized items, in accordance with Articles 145/4 and 143 of the Unified Customs Law of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States. ROP urged parents to raise awareness among their children about the dangers of using fireworks, due to physical and psychological effects on children, as well as the damage they can cause to property and the public nuisance they create.


Observer
25-03-2025
- Observer
SWEET POISON
Muscat, March 24 With Eid Al Fitr approaching, children's joy multiplies, and one of the most prominent aspects of this joy is indulging in sweets, which are considered an essential part of Eid traditions. Their happiness with sweets isn't limited to what's offered at home but rather what they buy which are often high in sugar and fats. However, behind this high demand lies important questions regarding the safety of these products and their impact on children's health especially given the variety available and the lack of consumer awareness among some families. Dr Hussain al Masroori, Director-General of Food Safety and Quality Centre, emphasised the crucial difference between 'safe food' and 'healthy food', pointing out that the issue doesn't lie in the type of food itself, but rather in the pattern, manner and rate of consumption. He stated that most sweets available in Omani markets are safe in terms of food safety being free from physical, chemical and microbiological contaminants but whether they are healthy or not is a subjective matter that varies from person to person. He explained that a person with diabetes, for instance, cannot consume the same quantity or type of sweets as a healthy individual. 'At the centre, we stress that all products entering Oman undergo inspection and comply with standard specifications, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are healthy,' he said. Dr Al Masroori spoke about the procedures followed to ensure the safety of both imported and locally produced sweets. He explained that the Food Safety and Quality Centre is responsible for ensuring that all imported food products comply with the approved standards in the Sultanate of Oman. He noted that this task is carried out through a series of inspection and examination stages at border entry points, starting with the verification and review of accompanying documents — foremost among them the health certificate issued by the regulatory authority in the country of origin, which serves as an initial guarantee of the product's safety. visual inspection The procedures also include a visual inspection of the products to check transportation conditions, the accuracy of food labelling, the integrity of the packaging and the overall condition of the shipment. If any concerns or suspicions arise, a decision is made either to reject the shipment or to grant conditional release, which involves collecting samples for necessary laboratory tests. He added that the centre also relies on a risk assessment programme, which involves randomly sampling shipments even those that appear visually sound to ensure the highest levels of consumer safety. Regarding locally produced products, he pointed to the ongoing collaboration with the municipal sector. The centre, in coordination with regulatory authorities in municipalities and the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, monitors food establishments. 'There is continuous coordination between the food safety and quality departments across various governorates, municipal departments and the Consumer Protection Authority to conduct joint inspection campaigns that ensure the safety of products in circulation,' he said, adding that if non-compliant products are found at entry points, immediate action is taken either rejecting or destroying the products. When buying sweets for children, Dr Al Masroori urged parents to distinguish between a safe product and a healthy one, clarifying that all products entering the Omani market or produced locally must be safe according to regulations and inspections, but that doesn't mean they are beneficial for all children from a health perspective. He noted that some products contain high levels of sugar, calories, or oils which may not be suitable for some children, especially those with chronic illnesses or allergies. He stressed the importance of reading the nutrition label on the packaging to understand ingredients and sugar and calorie content. natural foods He also emphasised the importance of considering children's age-specific needs, saying: 'A three-year-old child's consumption should not match that of an older child. It's important to determine the appropriate daily or weekly amount. Eating sweets is not necessarily harmful if done in moderation, but natural foods remain the better option, especially for children,' he Alya al Kindi, an emergency medicine specialist, pointed out that excessive sweet consumption can cause health issues in children, even though they need a moderate amount of sugar as an energy source. Among the most common issues is tooth decay caused by acid buildup from bacteria. Sweets also contribute to weight gain and obesity due to their high caloric content, increasing the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. She highlighted that high sugar intake can also weaken the immune system, cause digestive disturbances and lead to mood swings and energy crashes. Dr Alya added that excessive sugar consumption can disrupt healthy eating habits and impair calcium absorption and bone health. She also warned against certain additives like caffeine, which may cause insomnia and anxiety in children. Dr Alya stressed the importance of educating families about the harms of excessive sweet consumption during Eid and encouraged practical steps to reduce children's intake. She advised limiting the availability of sweets at home and offering healthy alternatives like fruits and natural juices. She also underscored the importance of reading nutritional information to avoid exceeding the recommended daily sugar limit. She emphasised the need to regulate when sweets are consumed and avoid offering them as a reward, as this reinforces psychological attachment to them. Additionally, she recommended promoting healthy behaviours such as brushing teeth after meals and staying physically active during Eid. Regarding the ingredients used in sweets, Dr Alya advised avoiding products with harmful additives like artificial colours, sweeteners and preservatives — including tartrazine, aspartame, sodium benzoate and hydrogenated fats — due to their potentially negative effects on children's health. She noted that the maximum recommended sugar intake for children aged 2 to 18 should not exceed 25 grammes per day, but recent studies have shown that over 81 per cent of children exceed this limit, raising concerns about early-onset obesity and increased body mass index. When buying sweets for children, parents need to distinguish between a safe product and a healthy one. All products entering the Omani market or produced locally must be safe according to inspections regulation, but that doesn't mean they are beneficial for all children from a health perspective.


Muscat Daily
23-03-2025
- Muscat Daily
Oman's Central Blood Bank calls for urgent blood donations
Muscat – The Central Blood Bank in Bausher has issued an urgent appeal for blood and platelet donations in anticipation of the upcoming Eid al Fitr holiday. Authorities warn that this period typically sees a significant drop in donor numbers, which could lead to critical shortages for patients in need. To address this challenge, the blood bank is urging individuals to come forward and donate during Ramadan. Donation timings have been adjusted to accommodate both morning and evening hours, with morning donations available from Sunday to Thursday between 8:00am and 12:30pm, and evening donations open daily from 7:30pm to 11:30pm local time. The final opportunity for platelet donations each evening will be at 10:30 PM. The appeal comes as hospitals and medical facilities prepare for increased demand, and officials stress that community participation is vital in ensuring a stable supply of blood and its components. The Central Blood Bank in Bausher remains open to all eligible donors, and those willing to contribute can contact the helpline at 124441999 for further information. With every donation potentially saving multiple lives, authorities are calling on the public to step forward and make a difference during this crucial time.