Sunday Times 2
Sri Lanka Mission in Maldives organises blood donation programme to mark Vesak
View(s):The Sri Lanka High Commission in Maldives organised a blood donation programme on May 6 to mark Vesak.
The programme was arranged for the second consecutive year by the Sri Lanka Mission with the support of the Lankan community and in collaboration with the Maldivian Thalassemia Society.
The one-day blood donation programme was conducted at the Maldives Blood Services (Thalassemia Centre) in the Maldivian capital, Malé under the patronage of the Minister of Health of Maldives, Order of the Dignified Rule of the Muleege Dynasty, Ahmed Naseem, along with the Minister of State for Health of Maldives Dr Shah Abdulla Mahir and with the participation of Mission staff, Deputy Director of Maldivian Blood Services Faisal Ibrahim, Chairperson of Maldivian Thalassemia Society Fathimath Jeehan Saleem and members of the Lankan community.
Dr Mahir conveyed the sincere appreciation of the Maldivian Government to the Sri Lanka High Commission and the Lankan community in Maldives for organising the blood donation. He highlighted the acute need for blood, not only for surgeries in hospitals, but also for the considerable number of Thalassemia patients in the Maldives, who require regular blood transfusions.
Sri Lanka High Commissioner, A M J Sadiq appreciated the patronage of Minister Ahmed Naseem and State Minister Dr Mahir at the blood donation programme, which had been organised as a gesture of goodwill and abiding friendship by the Lankan community towards the Maldivian people.
Noting that World Thalaseemia Day was on 8 May, the High Commissioner stated that he looks forward to working closely with the MTS towards encouraging more Lankans,especially living and working in resorts and far flung atolls, to also donate blood to regional health centres. He appreciated the support of those who have been inspired by the humanitarian spirit of Buddhist philosophy to volunteer and donate blood at the event.
Deputy Director of Maldives Blood Services Faisal Ibrahim, Chairperson of the Maldivian Thalassemia Society Fathimath Jeehan Saleem, also spoke on the occasion.
The Counsellor of the Mission, D Amanulla, conveyed sincere thanks for the support noting that the blood donation programme was an outstanding success as the event had to be extended beyond the scheduled closing time to accommodate over 120 volunteers.