ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has issued a public appeal for blood donations to save lives amid serious blood shortages triggered by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement issued here on Friday, the Chairman of PRCS Abrar ul Haq revealed that the PRCS Regional Blood Donor Centre (RBDC) housed at the National Headquarters would usually collect 500-1000 donations in any given month; these have declined to just a few dozen units only.
“Around 90% of PRCS blood supply has been threatened by cancellation of community blood drives due to Covid-19. Educational institutions and industrial units have been the major source of blood collection, and their closure in days of pandemic, has severely impacted blood donations,” Abrar stated.
A majority of the blood donors fear contracting Coronavirus during the blood transfusion process, which is just a myth that needs to be dismissed through a robust awareness campaign. “The COVID virus cannot be transmitted through blood donation process or blood transfusion as respiratory viruses are not transmitted by donation or transfusion,” Abrar clarified.
The Chairman maintained that thousands of people have lost lives to Covid-19; however, even more lives are at risk due to blood shortage, especially among patients suffering from leukemia, thalassemia, hemophilia, anemia, or those undergoing critical surgeries or injured in road accidents. “PRCS has implemented all necessary safety measure needed during the pandemic and we would like urge everybody to continue donating blood,” he added.
Blood donation is not only a noble deed but also helps donors to stay healthy, energetic and rejuvenated throughout the year. As such, Abrar urged people to fulfil their human, national, moral and religious obligation and to save lives through blood donations during these testing times.
Police said that ten people were killed in Abuja and “many others” in Okija
Russian state news agencies reported drone attack on a residential complex and other areas in Kazan
Sanjoy Roy, 33, lone accused in case, pleaded not guilty before judge in closed court on Friday in Kolkata
JUIF emir said that talks with government have been positive wherein it admitted that party’s demands were strong
Iran has poor road safety record, with more than 20,000 deaths between March 2023 and March 2024 in road accidents
Expressing solidarity with security forces, she said “Personnel of security forces are our pride"