Azerbaijanis donate blood to people in need

By Amina Nazarli

On the Day of Ashura, some blood donation campaigns have been held in Azerbaijan, Spokesman of the Health Ministry Anar Gadirli said.

Azerbaijan annually hosts a variety of voluntary actions and campaigns in various events and holidays such as Ramadan, Muharram and Ashura, where people voluntarily donate their blood to save someone's life.

Fifteen health centers have opened their doors for blood donors, who do not spare their blood to help those in need.

Gadirli noted that eight health centers have been set up in mosques in Baku. Others have been held in Sumgayit and Azerbaijani regions such as Ganja, Mingachevir, Sheki, Lankaran and Barda.

A team from Health Ministry is operating in each center.

He added that the donation campaign is carried out by the Central Blood Bank, which will continue until the evening.

A total of 2,354 people took part in the action, where 1,000 liters of blood were donated.

These donations will go for the treatment of patients with haemophilia and thalassemia, as well as all patients being in need of blood.

The donation actions are being held in the following mosques in the capital Teze Pir, Haji Soltanali, Ajdarbay, Bibi Heybat, Icheri Sheher Juma, Garachukhur, Mirmovsum Aga including Juma Mosque in Sumgayit, Imimzada in Ganja, Heydar in Mingachevir, Juma in Sheki, Boyuk Bazar in Lankaran, Juma Mosque in Barda.

The number of blood donors is steadily growing in Azerbaijan. A total of 50,000 blood donors were registered in the country last year.

The Central Blood Bank has mobile teams who travel to regions and carry out remunerated blood donation among the population as well as various organizations.