Kupwara, June 15: Bilqees Ara, an Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) worker from Gundchabotra, Kralgund, here has voluntarily donated her blood 24 times since 2012 to save human lives.
Barely a few months after her appointment in the health department in 2012, Bilqees donated blood for the first time to save a pregnant woman from her locality. “I had accompanied her to the District Hospital Handwara. During her delivery when the need of blood arose there was no male from her family available, and I rose to the occasion and donated blood for her,” said Bilqees.
“Although, first I was hesitant, but given her condition, I could not restrain myself. And, since that day I have by the grace of Allah saved many lives with my blood,” Bilqees told Greater Kashmir.
Bilqees has donated blood at District Hospital Handwara over 12 times so far. Besides, she has donated blood at Sub District Hospital Kupwara and LD Srinagar at several times.
“I am a registered blood donor, whenever a need arises the officials at Blood Bank DH Handwara call me and I make myself available to donate blood,” she said.
The officials at Blood Bank Handwara said that with Bilqees setting the trend, several women volunteers have come forward and are regular blood donors.
Bilqees says that her husband, a government teacher, is also a regular blood donor. “He has always encouraged me to save people’s lives.”
Bilqees also happens to be an active Covid warrior. Since the Covid vaccination drive started across Kashmir she has persuaded hundreds of people to take vaccine.