Sharjah, Apr 30 (IANS/WAM): A 49-year-old man from Oman has been honoured by the ministry of health of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for donating blood for 26 years.

Ahmed Bin Hamad Al Khoroosi was born in January 1963 in Bahrain, but shifted to Oman at the age of nine for his studies. In 1983, he had a terrible accident, which led to think of donating blood for needy people.

Al Khoroosi, who now donates blood every three months, said he donated blood for the first time June 14, 1986 in Oman.

He has also encouraged his wife, daughters and brother to donate blood.

"My wife has donated 16 times and my brother 54 times. He also makes regular visits to government organisations and private companies to organise awareness lectures about the importance of blood donation," he said.

Al Khoroosi was honoured by Amin Hussein Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary for medical practices and licensing, and chairman of the Blood Transfusion Higher Committee in the UAE's ministry of health.