Blood Donation in Dubai: Who Can Give, Where and How to Book

The Dubai Blood Donation Centre in Al Jaddaf takes blood donations Monday to Friday, 7am to 8.30pm, according to Dubai Health's page updated on 8 September 2026. Donors must be aged 18 to 65 and hold a valid UAE or GCC ID; tourists and visitors cannot give blood.

The centre has been Dubai's main blood bank since 1986, has held AABB accreditation since 2012 and says it supplies about 50% of the UAE's blood units. It sits within the Dubai Health network, which runs the emirate's public hospitals and health centres. This is general information; if you have a health condition or take regular medicines, ask your doctor or the blood bank team whether you can donate.

Who can donate

Dubai Health's donor criteria, updated in March 2026:

• Age: 18 to 65.
• Weight: at least 50 kg, with a higher minimum of 55 kg for some younger donors. Dubai Health's pages and its 2025 drive guidance describe the age band differently, so confirm when you book.
• ID: a valid UAE or GCC ID. Tourists and visitors are not permitted to donate.
• Pregnancy: pregnant or breastfeeding women should not donate.
• On the day: you should be in good general health. Staff ask about recent travel and check your blood pressure, which should be 90–180 mm Hg systolic and 50–100 mm Hg diastolic.

The DHA's 2022 donor sheet also listed haemoglobin ranges (13.0–18 g/dl for men, 12.5–16.5 g/dl for women), a pulse of 50 to 100 a minute and a temperature of 37.5°C or below. These are checked at the centre.

Common reasons to wait

Guidance issued for a Dubai Health drive in October 2025 listed these deferrals:

SituationWait Returning from outside the UAE14 days Visiting a malaria-endemic countryMore than one month Flu-like symptoms28 days COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test14 days Receiving blood or blood products, or major surgery6 months

The same guidance said people with a history of malaria, jaundice after the age of 11, major health problems or blood-transmissible diseases are not eligible. Rules are updated from time to time (the 2022 sheet gave a 7-day wait after travel), and the team makes the final decision.

How often

The DHA's 2022 sheet gave these intervals: whole blood every two months, platelet apheresis every two weeks and double red cells every four months. Platelet and double red cell donations were by appointment.

How to book

Dubai Health's steps (March 2026):

1. Log in to the Dubai Health website or app and select Donate Blood.
2. Read the information about donating.
3. Sign the consent form and complete the questionnaire.
4. Choose a date and time.
5. On arrival, register using the QR code you are given.

Every donor receives a donor e-card, upgraded as donations increase. During registration you can opt in as an emergency donor; Dubai Health says it contacts emergency donors only in critical cases. Questions go to the 24/7 team on 800 60.

Where

The main centre is in Al Jaddaf; the DHA's 2022 sheet gave the address as Sheikh Ahmed Square, Oud Metha Road. Dubai Health also runs mobile donation drives at workplaces and in communities across the emirate. In one example, DMCC hosted a drive with Dubai Health at the Almas Conference Centre in JLT on 7 October 2025.

Before you go

From the October 2025 drive guidance:

• Get enough sleep the night before.
• Eat a meal within four hours of donating, and avoid fatty foods such as eggs, butter and cheese for at least 12 hours beforehand.
• Book a slot and complete the questionnaire in the Dubai Health app in advance.
• Bring your Emirates ID and the app's QR code.
• Unsure about a condition or medicine? Ask your doctor before booking.

For general information, not medical advice. Details can change; check with Dubai Health before relying on them, and see a doctor for advice about your own health.