MINGORA: Youth donated blood for thalassaemia patients here.

The activity was held by the Al-Fajar Foundation in collaboration with youth activists at Makan Bagh Chowk for the patients, whose life is at risk due to unavailability of blood supplies during the coronavirus lockdown. The organisers said around 270 thalassaemia patients were registered with them in Swat.

Rahman Ali Sahil, the administrator of the Al-Fajar Foundation, said since the lockdown was enforced in the country to stem the spread of Covid-19 in Swat, the inflow of blood was very slow and therefore, the lives of hundreds of children in Swat were at risk.

He said the foundation provided regular blood transfusion to patients in Malakand division. “We have registered children aged above 14. They need blood transfusion three times a month, those aged between seven and 12 years two times a month and children under five years of age once a month,” he said.

Youngster Imran Khan, who donated blood and motivated others for donation, said it was the responsibility of the civil society to come forward and play due role to save lives.

“When we came to know that the thalassaemia patients in Swat were short of blood, we decided not only to donate blood but also to motivate others. Around 10 of our friends today donated blood and promised to donate blood regularly to thalassaemia patients,” he told Dawn.

The civil society members, organised the activity and donated blood, said they followed lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak.

“We should not forget thalassaemia patients in such a testing time. We have to donate blood by observing social distancing and respect protocols issued by the district administration,” said Imtiaz Ahmad.

THREE DIE:Three people died in different incidents here in Swat.

According to the Matta police, gunmen killed member of the village defence council Abdul Wali in Kharerai area.

The police cordoned off the area and began search for the killers.

Meanwhile, Anwar Said of Garrassa village in Kokarai area killed his wife over a domestic issue and fled.

Irfan Khan of Charbagh area, who was badly injured after being electrocuted lately, died in the hospital on Friday.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2020