by Iqra Qayoom
HANDWARA: Bilquees Ara, a 34-year-old Asha worker, has earned recognition as a local hero for her remarkable commitment to continuous blood donation at the district hospital in Handwara, a major town of Jammu and Kashmir in northern Kashmir. Over the past 12 years, she has contributed almost 40 pints of blood and earned the title Blood Women of Kashmir.
In Kashmir, countless blood donors have been donating consistently. For a woman, however, it is huge a contribution as they are inherently anaemic. Almost forty per cent of women in Jammu and Kashmir have anaemia, including 29 per cent with mild anaemia, 11 per cent with moderate anaemia, and one per cent with severe anaemia.
Ara’s journey into the realm of blood donation started 12 years ago when she recognised the pivotal role blood plays in saving lives. Motivated by a profound dedication to the well-being of her community, she decided to make a positive impact as an Asha worker. With each visit to Handwara’s district hospital, Ara adds another chapter to her life-saving journey, contributing pint after pint of blood to achieve a remarkable tally surpassing 40 pints.
Her journey began when a pregnant lady, lacking male family members, was admitted to the local hospital. In this situation, Ara seized the opportunity to donate blood, marking the first instance of her contribution. However, her dedication intensified when her son fell into a coma for two days, prompting her to donate blood for the second time.
“I am so happy that I took that step that day as it was the beginning of my happy journey,” says Bilquees, who goes beyond her hospital duties, actively engaging in fieldwork. Apart from being a consistent blood donor, she played a crucial role as a Covid19 warrior during the pandemic, advocating for and convincing hundreds of people to get vaccinated. Supported by her government teacher husband, Ara has become a stalwart in social work.
Ara’s commitment extends beyond periodic blood donation; she stands as a responsive lifeline in critical situations, readily answering urgent calls for blood at Handwara Hospital, now becoming a hospital for the local Government Medical College. She is the go-to person, always available to donate blood promptly. Her reliability has made her indispensable to the medical staff in Handwara, where she steps forward without hesitation, acknowledging the importance of timely blood arrangements.
“Whenever a patient needs blood, officials at Blood Bank Handwara call me, and I always try to make myself available, no matter how busy my schedule is, as quickly as possible to donate blood,” she said.
Ara’s altruistic efforts go beyond Handwara Hospital; she has also donated blood at Lalla Ded Hospital and District Hospital Kupwara. Continuously advocating for blood donation, she engages with people in her community, emphasising its importance and encouraging them to participate in this noble act. Ara dispels myths, explaining that donating blood does not weaken individuals as it regenerates within a few days. Additionally, she challenges gender norms, proving that women, as Asha workers, can be lifesavers, breaking expectations each time she donates blood.
Bilquees Ara’s impactful efforts have garnered recognition from the hospital administration, with numerous women in her locality inspired to donate blood through her advocacy. The hospital reports a significant increase in regular donors, all citing Bilquees Ara as their reference.
Her husband, impressed by her dedication, has become a frequent blood donor himself. The local community holds her in high regard, and healthcare professionals have expressed appreciation for her noble work. Several news items have featured Bilquees Ara due to her commendable contributions.
For Bilquees Ara, the act of saving lives brings immense joy, and her commitment is widely acknowledged. She states, “I will donate blood till my final breath,” emphasizing a powerful declaration of dedication to the well-being of her community.
