Deputy Governor Rano Karno urges Jakarta residents to donate blood during Ramadhan

Jakarta – Jakarta’s Deputy Governor Rano Karno has appealed to residents of the capital to leverage the momentum of Ramadhan to strengthen compassion towards others, including through blood donation activities.

According to Karno, speaking at an Iftar gathering with the Indonesian Red Crescent Society (PMI) DKI Jakarta Province in Central Jakarta on Monday, Ramadhan teaches that life is not solely about oneself, but also about how one can be beneficial to others.

“Therefore, we encourage PMI to remain active in conducting blood donation activities at various locations so that the community’s blood requirements remain fulfilled,” he said.

Karno also highlighted the increasing mobility of residents, including the exodus during the Eid holiday. He subsequently urged Jakarta residents to participate in joint takbiran celebrations to be held at the Bundaran HI area with various activities, such as torch carnivals and beduk (traditional drum) competitions.

PMI DKI Jakarta Province Chairman Beky Mardani stated that in order to maintain blood stock availability during the Eid holiday period, PMI DKI Jakarta has prepared a stimulus programme in the form of food package bundles for donors who visit blood service units during the period from five days before to five days after Eid.

Meanwhile, volunteers remain on standby at various service points throughout Jakarta. PMI has opened 14 mobile clinics distributed across Jakarta during Ramadhan until the approach of Eid.

In addition to providing health services and first aid for holiday travellers, PMI also conducted massive blood donation activities on 9-13 March in West Jakarta. During the activities, a total of 4,037 people donated blood, thereby helping to increase blood stock availability in Jakarta.

“PMI DKI Jakarta also distributed nearly 8,000 humanitarian aid packages to the community during Ramadhan,” Mardani said.