Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — In preparation for the upcoming Ramadan, Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath (TNTJ), Jeddah region, organized two blood donation campaigns here recently. The campaigns are to support Ramadan Umrah pilgrims during their stay in the Kingdom. These two blood donation camps were conducted at King Abdul Aziz Hospital and King Fahd Hospital by TNTJ. They invited to the public to donate blood, which will be utilized for Ramalan Umrah pilgrims in emergency situations. About 57 units of blood was donated in King Fahd Hospital in Jeddah and 106 units was donated in King Abdul Aziz Hospital here. Totally 163 donors donated blood in two campaigns. A large number of expatriates, mostly from Tamil-speaking community from India, pledged to donate blood on a regular basis. Mohammed Munaff, president of Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath (TNTJ) Jeddah Region, and King Abdul Aziz Hospital Blood donation camp organizer said, "TNTJ organization has chapters in different parts of the Kingdom which are also conducting blood donation campaigns for Umrah and Haj pilgrims with the support of local hospitals run by the Health Ministry." Around 120 members of TNTJ gathered at the King Abdul Aziz Hospital and 106 donors managed to donate their blood. Dr. Lubuna Al-Munawi, KAHJ director of laboratory department and Dr. Ayman M Sabary, KAHJ blood bank director, said, "These kind of blood donation camps create an awareness among local Saudis & expatriates." Dr. Ali Al Khodari, KAHJ blood bank supervisor, thanked TNTJ organizers for organizing the blood donation drive and continuing to do this noble work. Explaining the purpose of such a campaign, Musthafa, spokesperson of this campaign for TNTJ, said, "A good number of Umrah pilgrims who suddenly fall ill or meet with accidents require blood and this contribution will go long way in helping such section of the pilgrims. Arrangements will be made with the hospital to dispatch the collection to be sent to blood banks in Makkah." Seventy-two members gathered at the King Fahd Hospital and 57 donors managed to donate their blood. "We have been conducting blood donation campaign in Jeddah for the last five years with the inspiration of Qur'anic verse 5:32 states that ‘Whoever he saves a life, it is as though he had save the life of all mankind'," he added. The King Fahd Hospital (KFHJ) lab team led by Ali Omar Hamad provided full support to TNTJ volunteers. A standard health screening procedure was done prior to blood being donated. Each donor underwent tests for blood pressure; sugar and hemoglobin count before the donation. The checks also included communicable diseases.
