The drive was conducted in response to Kuwait Central Blood Bank’s emergency call as Kuwait is facing an acute shortage in blood reserves due to COVID-19. The event was also a tribute to people who had sacrificed their lives and shed their blood during the struggle for independence.
Pakistani community in Kuwait expressed their solidarity and gratitude by overwhelming attendance and donations. A total of 251 pints of blood were collected in a short span of 5 hours, adhering to all SOPs prescribed by MOH, Kuwait.
The event was organized by Pakistani Blood Donors Association (Pak Donors) with utmost significant support from Islamic Education Committee Kuwait and Kuwait Central Blood Bank as partners and was graced by Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Pakistani Blood Donors Association established in 2011, is the first organization of its kind among the Pakistani Community in Kuwait with an aim to spread awareness about the serious matter of Blood donation. It has conducted more than a dozen drives yielding thousands of pints of blood donations since its incubation.
The effort was honored by the presence of the Ambassador of Pakistan to Kuwait H.E Syed Sajjad Haider which became the reason for encouragement and motivation for the organizers, volunteers, and donors. HE The Ambassador took a tour of the blood bank and was overwhelmed with the commitment and dedication of the Pakistani community in Kuwait. He addressed the gathering and appreciated the arrangements and adherence to COVID-19 SOPs guidelines issued by the Government of Kuwait. HE was warmly welcomed by the executive committee members Ehsanulhaq (Co-Founder Pak Donors, Irfan Saeed (Snr Advisor Pak Donors), Nouman Aslam Ghuman (Head of Pak Donors – Kuwait Chapter), Mrs. Shaista Zahid (Head of Women Wing Pak Donors – Kuwait Chapter) and other office-bearers.
Asif Khan, a prominent Pakistani in Kuwait and advisor to the Pak Donors, also accompanied H.E the Ambassador and motivated the team and donors. “Pakistani community in Kuwait made history and will always be ready to give their blood and sweat back to Kuwait which is our second home’, said Asif Khan.
Event was also graced by respectable members of Pakistani community in Kuwait, Mohammad Kamal (Acting President IEC Kuwait), Dr.Shuja Ud Din, Peer Mohammad Amjad, Irfan Noon, Usama Shahid, Majid Ali Choudhry, Mohammad Inaam, Arshad Naeem Choudhary, Javed Shah, Rana Ijaz, Irfan Nagra, Dr. Beena, Dr.Farah along with many others who participated and appreciated the effort.
The drive continues from 1 PM until 7 PM, during this time the usual capacity of processing donations is around 120. As this event attracted a huge number of donors, the blood bank’s efficient management allocated extra beds to maximize the yield. It is worth mentioning that Blood Banks in Kuwait are extremely professional, supportive, and well organized. Pak Donors is thankful for this ongoing support.
An Independence Day cake cutting ceremony was also held as a part of the event. HE Syed Sajjad Haider cut the cake along with Team Pak Donors & Team Islamic Education Committee Kuwait (Youth Wing). HE applauded team PAK Donors and associates for arranging such a well-organized event for humanity and boosting the image of Pakistan and Pakistanis in Kuwait. Ehsanulhaq (Co-Founder Pak Donors) presented HE Syed Sajjad Haider a souvenir on behalf of team PAK Donors.
Arif Butt (Chairman Pak Donors) congratulated the team on another extremely successful event by Pak Donors. The event ended with a note of thanks from the team Pak Donors & team Islamic Education Committee and appreciation for organizing team members, Adnan Javed (Event In-charge), Sajid Nadeem, Shahbaz Ahmed Chughtai, Osama Imtiaz, Altaf Hussian, Hassan Abid, Malik Muzammil, Mohammad Asad, Syed Sheheryar, Naveed Akbar, Usman Javed, Syed Waqas, Sheikh Hammad, Mohammad Hassan Choudhary, Abid Naeem, Khalil Choudhary, Mohammad Akash, Ibrar Shah, Abdul Rehman Shahbaz, Abdul Samad Shahbaz, Yousaf Shahbaz, Mohammad Afzal, Irfan Ameen, Nisar Butt, Mohammad Akbar, Nouman Saeed, Shahzad Sabir, Umer Hayat, Mohammed Raheel, Rafaqat Ali, Zahid Iqbal, Zahid Khadim and Mohammad Khalid who selflessly made sure the success of the event.
PAK Donors aspires to inspire other communities to spread awareness of blood donation in Kuwait.