College students appointed as Blood Donation Ambassadors

Students pursuing higher education in the Maldives have been appointed as blood donation ambassadors to promote voluntary blood donation.

The agreements were signed between the Ministry of Health and six higher education institutions at a ceremony held yesterday at the Maldives National University (MNU).

The institutions that signed the agreement include:

- Maldives National University (MNU)

- Islamic University of Maldives

- Villa College

- Maldives Business School

- Zikura International College

- Island Institute of Tertiary Education

Health Minister Abdulla Nazim signed on behalf of the ministry during the ceremony.

The agreement outlines five commitments, including, conducting awareness campaigns to promote voluntary blood donation, encouraging students and the wider community to become regular blood donors, collaborating with national agencies and organizations to strengthen blood donation initiatives and supporting blood donation events within their institutions.

At the event, Islamic University Dean Sheikh Nimal Mohamed highlighted the spiritual and humanitarian value of donating blood. He described it as the highest form of donation and urged the public to make it a regular act of charity, done without waiting for requests.

"Donating blood is something that benefits both this world and the Hereafter," Sheikh Nimal said.

While the number of donors in the Maldives has been increasing annually, challenges in securing blood still exist.

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated on June 14 every year.