New blood centre opens in Atyrau

Atyrau, 8 November 2008, (Khabar) - A new medical centre has been
commissioned in Atyrau to provide a significant increase in blood and for the preparation of blood products. According to Atyrau doctors, they used to be able to take blood from 5 thousand donors but now this can be increased significantly.

Uais Bisenov, regional centre's head physician:
- We can now receive at least 10 thousand donors and prepare up to 5 tonnes
of blood and its products. This figure will grow and the volume of blood is
to increase to 7 tonnes.

The centre was built by an oil company as part of its businesses' social
responsibility project and stocked with the most up-to-date equipment
allowing the storing of blood components for up to 6 months. This is
especially important for rare blood types. Modern technology can detect HIV,
hepatitis and other infections in the blood which makes it safe for blood
transfusions. The centre is also equipped with a mobile "Donor" laboratory.
Now, doctors can go to far-flung areas to take blood from donors. According
to the regional head, Bergei Ryskaliyev, some new medical institutions are
to open in the region as well. An out-patient clinic, maternity hospital and
infectious diseases hospital and some new clinics are now being constructed
in the region's three district centres as part of the "100 schools and 100
hospitals programme".