SRINAGAR: At the District Hospital in north Kashmir’s Bandipora, Fayaz Sajad Sufi has quietly become a name many families will not forget.
A tuberculosis health visitor by profession, Fayaz has, for years, taken it upon himself to ensure that pregnant women in need of blood find timely donors before delivery.“My job is with TB patients,” Fayaz says, standing near the maternity ward.
“But when I saw families struggling to find blood donors for pregnant women, I couldn’t turn away. I’ve been helping for many years now. It’s not for money or recognition. I’m only doing it for humanity.”
Every week, Fayaz moves through hospital corridors, checking with the maternity unit if any expectant mothers need a cross-matched donor. If blood is required, he starts calling people from his network, friends, former donors, even strangers.
Many families come from far-flung villages, unaware of the process or too anxious to manage it alone. Fayaz steps in.
“We didn’t know anyone here,” said Ghulam Nabi, whose daughter-in-law underwent a cesarean delivery last month. “Fayaz sahib arranged blood for us without delay. He didn’t ask for anything.”
Another attendant, Shahzada Bano from Hajin, said, “My daughter needed two units urgently. Fayaz helped like it was his own family.”
Fayaz never misses work, and never turns away a request, even when it comes late in the day. He says it’s something he simply must do. “I don’t want anyone to lose a loved one just because they couldn’t arrange a donor in time,” he said.
“If I can help, I will.”Fayaz uses modern tools to reach donors quickly. He manages dedicated WhatsApp groups where hundreds of local donors stay connected and ready to respond.
In addition, he runs a Facebook page with thousands of followers specifically to spread urgent blood donation requests. This online network has significantly increased the speed and reach of his efforts, making sure blood donors can be found even in emergencies.
“The WhatsApp group is our lifeline,” Fayaz explained. “When a call for blood goes out, we often get multiple volunteers within minutes. The Facebook page helps us inform the wider public and get more donors.”
