Handwara, June 2: Acting as a saviour for scores of people, an ASHA worker from North Kashmir’s Handwara has so far donated her blood at least 25 times in over 9 years.
By her determination, she has turned out to be a role model for her colleagues and has set an example among other workers who are catering to the healthcare needs of the people living in the villages.
Hailing from Gundchabotra village of Kralgund Tehsil in Handwara, Bilqees Ara who is in her early thirties has been working as an ASHA worker since 2012 and soon after that she had an opportunity of becoming a ‘blood donator’ when her cousin was in immediate need of blood.
“In the same year, my cousin was pregnant and she was referred to Lal Ded Hospital, her condition deteriorated there and her family was asked to arrange blood; there I came to the front and donated blood which saved her life at that time and since then, I have not stopped at all,” Bilqees said.
She said that it was a great feeling to know that her blood has saved the life of her cousin. “And that is the feeling that has kept me going so far,” she said.
Bilqees said that she donates blood often so that the lives of people, who do not get the blood well in time, are saved. “It is something which keeps me going and I would like to request people to come forward for blood donation and save lives,” she said.
She said that blood donation does not affect health in any way and that feeling that the donated blood saved a life is priceless. “I have donated my blood 28 times so far and it has not affected my life,” she said, adding that people around her are supportive including her husband.
During 2014-15, Government Medical College, Srinagar conducted a study titled ‘Gender Differences in Blood Donation’ among donors of Kashmir. The study revealed that females contribute a meager 4.44% of blood while blood donation by males was 95.56% in J&K.
Dr Javaid Iqbal Khan, a hematologist at Srinagar’s Lal Ded hospital who also handles the hospital’s blood bank said there is no government protocol for blood donation.
“When we are in dire need of blood during emergencies, we inform the public. We also contact the volunteer donors directly,” he said.
“Those who donate blood, it regenerates among them. Donors need to eat an iron-rich diet. They should also eat fruits, meat and vegetables,” Dr Javaid said.
The need for blood is often felt at the maternity hospital.
The doctor said a male can donate 4 pints in a year while a female can donate three times in a year.
“If someone donates more than four pints, it will become problematic and can cause anemia. Any person below 18 can’t donate blood. It is a crime,” Dr Javaid said.
“In India, 65 is the upper age limit to donate the blood. The best age is 60. In developed countries, the upper age limit for the donation is 75,” he said.
