The Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath has conducted 44 blood campaigns in Alkhobar, Dammam, Qatif and Jubail.

Indian expatriates in the Eastern Province donated 282 units of blood for Haj pilgrims on Friday.

The event, organized by the Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath (TNTJ) at King Fahd Hospital in Alkhobar and the Dammam Central Hospital attracted around 325 blood donors from all parts of the Eastern Province.

According to the Dammam Regional Blood Bank, TNTJ’s blood contributions are about 10 percent of the total volume of whole blood contributed on a yearly basis.

The program was held under the direct supervision of Dr. Abdullah Matar Al-Otaibi, director of regional laboratory at Dammam Blood Bank, and Dr. Abdullah Al-Rubaish, president of Dammam University, at the two health facilities.

The TNTJ head in Dammam, Umar Farooq, said so far his organization has conducted 44 such campaigns in Alkhobar, Dammam, Qatif and Jubail.

He said the TNTJ has been the No. 1 organization in conducting these blood donation campaigns for the last eight years.

“In recognition of its services, hospital authorities have awarded more than 15 awards to TNTJ praising their work,” he said.

“We conduct these campaigns in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Qur’an: ‘Whoever saves a life will be as if he has saved entire mankind.’ (Chapter 5 verse 32). Surely, this will help in creating social harmony and raze hatred among us.”

A standard health screening procedure is carried out prior to the blood donation process. Each donor undergoes tests checking blood pressure, glucose and hemoglobin count prior to the donation. The checks are also for communicable diseases too .

According to a royal decree issued in 1405 H, the Ministry of Health does not import blood from foreign countries. Donations are collected from residents and citizens, who make regular voluntary donation of their blood.