People refer to blood donation centers during the holy month of Ramadan to help patients in need.

Philanthropic assistance has been recommended especially during the Qadr nights (19th, 21st, and 23rd days of Ramadan), which mark the martyrdom of Imam Ali (AS), the first Shia Imam.

Iran currently has the highest blood donation rate in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Out of 9.9 million blood donation units in this region, more than two million belongs to Iran.

Also, the index of blood donation is 25 per 1,000 populations, while in the member states of the Eastern Mediterranean region, this number is 14.9 per 1000.

There are currently 178 blood donation centers in the country, with Fars, Khorasan Razavi, Khuzestan, Tehran, and Mazandaran provinces having the largest number of blood donation centers.

Photo: IRNA / Ali Abak