<i>Youths for patients</i>
Blood donation club at a remote village in Jhinadah
An initiative by a youth at a remote village in Jhenidah now saves file. The blood donation club set up by Amirul Islam at Monohorpur village donates over 200 bags of blood to patients in different areas.
Any critical patient at Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex or anywhere in the upazila needing blood contacts Bandhan (the club). Amirul said he donated 73 bags of blood since setting up of the club in 2001. Starting with 50 youths, it has over 200 members now, he said.
Talking to this correspondent, Amirul said he decided to do something for patients when his sister Rokeya khatun was fighting for life at Kushtia Sadar Hospital for want of blood. Amirul could not collect blood for his sister due to poverty. Since then, he provided blood three times a year to patients and became known in the area.
He then organised some youths and formed the Bandhan at Monohorpur village. The club is now run by a managing committee headed by its president Swapan Kumar Bakchi. Amirul, a rural medical practitioner (RMP) is its advisor.
Rezu Ahmed a pathologist at Mohila and Shihu Clinic at Sailkupa upazila headquarters said, he screens the blood donated by members of Bandhan free of cost.
Sabina Khatun, wife of Mukh Chand Sheikh of Harihora village said, she needed blood for her uterus operation. Her husband contacted Bandhan and its member Bazlur Rahman of Siddi village donated her blood.
Contacted, Swapan Kumar Bakchi said his club members donated 76 bags of blood so far this month. “We get good response from youths and our membership is increasing”, he said.
Selim Reza, chairman-in-charge of Sailkupa Poroshava said Bandhan has set up a unique example in the area by volntarily helping critical patients.
Md. Rafikul Islam, residential medical officer of Sailkupa Health Complex said, members of Bandhan provide blood to patient at the hospital for free.
Amirul said, a little help would expand their service and help more people. The club needs an office, a refrigerator, a virus test machine to preserve blood.
He said if any patient need blood of any group he can contract at cell phone 01716 745407.
Shailkupa Civil Surgeon Shamsul Haq said, “This is a very good initiative by some youths in Shailkupa. Patients from other areas of Shailkupa also collect blood from Bandhan”.
He said he will try to give logistic support to the club and train its members.
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