With Salifome, donors can now watch how their blood saves lives

Karachi

As 2,000 blood donors signed up to become active members at Afzaal Memorial Thalassaemia Foundation (AMTF), it was revealed on Thursday that a considerably new practice of ‘Saving a Life in Front of My Eyes’ (Salifome) had led to the surge. Encouraging the practice of voluntary donations, under Salifome, the donors would be able to see their blood being transfused to the affected person as they donate it then and there.

According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AMTF, Dr Asim Qidwai, the concept, which was launched last year, was to build an emotional attachment between the patient and donor especially in cases of those who suffer from Thalassaemia.

“After seeing blood being transfused to a child during the procedure of donation, the donor asked us to register him or her as a permanent donor as he or she was able to empathise with the patient.”, Dr Qidwai stated.   

Referring to the point that there was no culture of voluntary blood donations in Pakistan, he said Salifome would make waves because it would instill a sense of responsibility among people.

He added that if the practice was followed by blood banks and centres catering to Blood Transfusion Diseases, millions of lives could be saved because donor turnout would drastically increase.