JAKARTA — Welcoming the month of Ramadan 1445 Hijriah, Dompet Dhuafa through Cuma-cuma Health Services (LKC) also presents blood donor services spread across 16 cities / regencies in Indonesia. In synergy with the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), the blood donor service took place from February 22 to March 3, 2024.
Titled “Let’s Donate Blood, We’re Healthy They’re Safe”, this blood donation was held at Philanthropy Building, Jl Warung Jati Barat No 14, South Jakarta. The activity started at 08:00-13:00 WIB, Wednesday (28/2/2024). A total of 45 volunteers registered and 35 of them managed to donate blood.
Muhammad Faisal, LKC’s Emergency Health Response Team (RDK) and Blood Donation Coordinator at Philanthropy Building that morning said that LKC tried to collect as many as 1445 blood bags. He said that blood donation is important so that blood stocks in each Blood Donor Unit (UDD) are available, as well as helping to provide blood for healthy people and mitigate the impact of the spread of disease.
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“Donating blood is an activity that brings many benefits. Not only for the donor, but also for all levels of society in need. Not only does it benefit others, regular blood donation is also very beneficial for the donor. In addition, the recipients of blood can also improve their health, but there are still many people in need who have difficulty accessing blood on time. Especially this time, Ramadan is approaching, so we are helping to cleanse our hearts and selves,” explained Faisal.
“Donated blood is very beneficial for people who need an immediate blood transfusion, it can save people’s lives. For example, someone who has been in an accident and has to do surgery so they need blood immediately,” he continued.
Based on WHO standard calculations, Indonesia needs around 5.5 million blood bags every year. Each region in Indonesia should provide at least 2% of blood bags from the total population. One of the reasons for the lack of blood bag supply in Indonesia includes public awareness about the importance of donating blood.
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“The challenge is to increase public awareness of blood donation. Actually, donating blood is a manifestation of humanitarian solidarity and improves health service satisfaction,” added Faisal.
Rifat (23), one of Dompet Dhuafa’s employees, donated blood that morning. He said that he had donated blood several times on a number of occasions.
“For me, blood donation is a sharing that is easy to do. So, if there is an opportunity like this, why not? When I was in school, I wanted to donate blood because I liked getting food afterwards,” said Rifat, jokingly.
Meanwhile, Rasmudi (22), a Philanthropy Building janitor, intended to donate blood for the first time. However, after registering and screening, he was declared unable to continue donating blood.
“I’m not allowed (to donate blood) yet. Because my HB is low and yesterday I slept late, more than 11 o’clock. It’s okay, God willing, the intention has arrived,” said Rasmudi.
The Ramadan 1445 H Special Blood Donation is rolling from Aceh to Papua Province. LKC Dompet Dhuafa’s Emergency Health Response Service is available throughout Indonesia through LKC’s Crisis Center (CC) at 0811 1617 101 through WhatsApp Chat which can be accessed for 24 hours.
“Today we have collected around 700 blood bags from the results of the special Ramadan 1445 H blood donation. Blood donation has been running at 13 points and will continue at three more points, namely Garut (West Java), Nunukan (North Kalimantan), and Purwokerto (Central Java),” said Faisal. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text & Photo: Dhika Prabowo
Editor: Dedi Fadlil