Thalassemia is also one of the diseases we aim to tackle with regular blood transfusion. Thalassemia is a blood disorder and is very prevalent in Afghanistan. We aim to treat children with thalassemia by providing them regular blood donation. Whilst blood banks do exists in Afghanistan, obtaining blood on a regular basis is extremely hard to come by. Some of our patients require blood transfusion multiple times a month. Without this much needed treatment children may not live past their fifth birthday.
As such with the help of the community, HRM and its partner organisation launched a Blood Donation Programme. We set up a system where we keep a record of blood donors. We screened their blood for potential diseases and once their screening has been completed and their blood group figured out we put them in our database, including their address and phone numbers. We then advertised our Blood Donation Line number in the community and encouraged people to contact us if they require any blood. The programme has been massive success. We are always looking for ways to encourage people to join us and become blood donors. Much like everything else blood donation camps cost money and this is where you come in. With your help we can set up these mini data bases across Afghanistan and save lives.
