‘Encourage people to donate blood, save precious lives’

Srinagar, Sep 24: MED 11 Hospital at Nishat, in collaboration with Lal Ded Hospital and the Ali Asgar Foundation, organised a blood donation camp today.

The event saw an impressive turnout, with about 80 donors participating, many of whom were first-time donors. The camp was aimed to strengthen the blood supply, particularly for emergency services and maternal care in Srinagar, making it a vital initiative for the local healthcare system.

One of the most inspiring aspects of the camp was the diversity among the donors. Muayad Shah, an 18-year-old student, donated blood for the first time. He expressed his excitement after the experience, saying, “I always wanted to donate blood but never had the courage. This was my first time, and knowing that my blood could save a life, especially for a mother or a child, really pushed me to do it. I’m glad I did.”

Among the participants was Hussain Bhat, a 45-year-old regular donor who donates every three months. His dedication to this cause was evident. “I’ve been donating blood for years now, and it’s become a habit. Every three months, I make sure to donate because there’s always someone in need. It’s a small effort that can make a huge difference,” Hussain said.

Zamruda Akther, another donor, was grateful for the initiative and highlighted the need for more awareness around blood donation. “It was a smooth and well-organised event. People should understand how important it is to give blood, especially when it’s for emergencies or women in labor. I hope more people come forward in future camps,” she shared.

The blood donation camp was organised to tackle the shortage of blood in Srinagar’s hospitals, particularly in critical care areas like maternal health and emergency surgeries. Mehr Shaw, who works in hospital management, said, “this is an outreach attempt towards our social responsibility and service to the community. More such events are in the pipeline”.

Dr Shabir Andrabi, one of the key figures behind the camp, stressed the importance of community participation in such initiatives. “We regularly face situations where blood is needed urgently, especially during complex deliveries. This camp helps ensure that we have enough reserves to deal with those emergencies. It’s encouraging to see so many first-time and regular donors stepping up,” he said.

In addition to the act of donating, all donors were provided with a free health check-up to ensure their fitness for donation. They were also given light refreshments and a certificate of appreciation for their contribution, a gesture that many found motivating.

The camp saw the participation of both young and older individuals, each contributing to the cause in their own way. For first-time donors like Muayad, it was an eye-opening experience, while regular donors like Hussain serve as role models for others.

Dr Andrabi also shared that this is only the beginning. “We plan to organise more blood donation camps in the coming months. Today’s turnout shows that there is a lot of potential to build a strong community-driven blood donation system in Srinagar,” he said.

As Srinagar continues to face healthcare challenges, particularly in maternal care, such events play a crucial role in ensuring that no life is lost due to a lack of blood. The collaboration between MED 11 Hospital, Lal Ded Hospital, and the Ali Asgar Foundation made the event possible, and their joint efforts were praised by the participants.

With the success of this blood donation camp, the organisers hope to encourage more people to donate regularly, ensuring a steady supply of blood for hospitals in need.