JEDDAH — The Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath (TNTJ), Jeddah region, organized its 21st blood donation drive in coordination with King Abdul Aziz Hospital, Mahajar, recently. Blood donation remains absolutely vital, as despite travel and venue restrictions people were not prevented from giving blood. There are no confirmed reports of coronavirus being transmitted by blood transfusion anywhere in the world and also strict additional safety measures were installed at the blood collection sites for donors and staff. Although people are reluctant to come to the hospital due to COVID-19, TNTJ took the challenge to answer the appeal from King Abdul Aziz Hospital for blood donation camp in order to save the lives of patients. Holding a Blood Donation camp is the biggest challenge at a time when people are reluctant to come out due to COVID-19. However, the Jeddah region TNTJ members discussed with the hospital team about safety measures to conduct the camp. A batch system for donors was introduced in order to maintain social distancing. Temperature screening at blood lab by Hospital security, increased space between chairs, additional cleaning of surfaces, staff washing their hands more often and using alcohol-based hand disinfection and wearing masks were the protocols set. TNTJ held the blood donation camp with such conditions.TNTJ invited members of the public to donate blood, and many voluntary donors from the Tamil community (from Tamil Nadu, South India) donated blood. Each donor underwent screening test for blood pressure & sugar level, hemoglobin count and communicable diseases, prior to donating blood under the supervision of Ayman M. Sabary, Blood Bank director and Dr. Reem Al Bassam, director of laboratory department at King Abdul Aziz Hospital, Mahajar, Jeddah. Around 60 members volunteered to donate blood, and among them 51 donors donated 51 UNITS of blood. Adil Munthashari, Ali, Ahmed Ilyas and his team provided full support to TNTJ volunteers and thanked them for organizing the blood camp for a noble cause. Muhammed Munaff, TNTJ president for Jeddah Region, said, "The need for blood transfusions and medications based on blood components continues despite COVID-19 pandemic and blood collection services are worried about potential blood shortages in future. This is the 21st such blood drive of this nature by TNTJ Jeddah Region." Salahudeen, Blood Donation Camp organizer, said, whenever we receive the call from hospital management for blood donation, we organize the camp, and he quoted "Whoever saves one life — it is as if he had saved mankind entirely —AlQuran5:32." — SG
