BLOOD DONATION –
Muslims are not always to blame
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According to a survey by Muslim Voice UK (MVUK), 78% of Muslims are aware that the rates of blood donation amongst ethnic minorities are currently very poor. Almost half of those who had not donated said that they wanted to give blood but just never got around to it and would like to do so in the future. Despite the increased awareness about the importance of giving blood, some are critical of the National Blood Service (NBS). They accuse the NBS of not being sensitive to cultural and religious needs and feel that more needs to be done to recruit ethnic minority donors, including Muslim donors. Currently, 6% of the eligible UK population gives blood and the vast majority of these blood donors are white. This has lead to an acute shortage of blood types common to Asians leaving them at severe risk when requiring urgent blood transfusions. The shortage of ethnic blood donors is also resulting in a lack of ethnic bone marrow donors, as these are usually taken from the pool of existing blood donors. Of the 229 Muslims surveyed last month, surprisingly one in five said they had donated blood. As the survey was carried out online and was self selective, it attracted a disproportionately large number of people that had donated blood. The actual numbers of Muslims donating blood are much lower than this, for example, according to NBS statistics, only 1% of Asians donate blood. The survey at least highlights that an increasing number of Muslims are donating blood. The survey also showed that the barriers to blood donation within the Muslim community have changed. In the past, barriers have been mainly due to the uncertainty about whether or not blood donation is against the teachings of Islam, lack of awareness of the existence of facilities for donation, and the fear that it will affect ones health. Only a minority were concerned about these issues according to the survey. However, one in 10 cited other reasons for not donating blood including the lack of sensitivity by NBS to their religious needs and not creating an inclusive environment. Saleem Rafiq from Rotherham feels that more men will be inclined to donate if they could be assured that a male nurse would be collecting the blood: “There is a dominance of female nurses in clinics. This means that brothers who do not wish to come into contact with people of the opposite sex, due to Islamic teachings, are put off donating blood”. On the other hand Eman Penny from Leicester, who used to be a regular blood donor, says she no longer donates blood because the service cannot guarantee she will have a female nurse or have privacy: “On one occasion when I gave blood, I covered my arm with a scarf and the nurse removed the scarf without my consent so a number of men saw my arm. I don’t consider this acceptable as I wear hijab and won’t uncover my arm unless there is a medical need. I would very much like to give blood again, but not if my decency can’t be guaranteed”. The survey also indicated that the most effective way of getting Muslims to donate blood was through information from community leaders and mosques and the second most effective method being leaflets and mobile stations at events. Many felt it was important to highlight the issue further through ethnic media as well as hearing about the experiences of Muslim donors. Much work needs to be done to address the concerns of the Muslim community such as private areas for women, translators, acceptable food etc. It is vital that Muslims still continue to come forward and give blood
as blood types vary by ethnic origin and it is important that there is
plenty of each type. In addition, one donation could help save more than
one life. Last year the NBS collected over 2.3 million donations from
some 1.3 million donors. Muslim jurists unanimously agree that blood transfusion
for medical purposes is permissible. Donating blood is also an act of
charity. It might save the life of a person who is in desperate need of
it.
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