Four of Alavi Bohra’s first family donate their plasma

Vadodara: If plasma donation for treatment of Covid-19 is gaining momentum in the city, donors like the first family of the Alavi Bohra community are giving the much-needed push. Four members of the family have made five plasma donations even as others from the community are joining hands in their efforts.
The Alavi Bohra community could well be called a micro minority with a population of only around 10,000 globally. And it was left stunned when its spiritual leader Saiyedna Haatim Zakiyuddin Saheb and four other family members were diagnosed with Covid-19. This took place in the holy month of Ramzan and prayers as well as sermons were performed by the Saiyedna’s successor Bhaisaheb Nuruddin who was also found positive.
In a small population of around 5,000 or even less of the sect in the city, 38 persons had tested positive and seven had died. But the community decided to fight back with major awareness drives regarding safeguards against Covid-10 and even plasma donation. Since the end of June, the Saiyedna’s two brothers, his son and a nephew have all donated plasma. The example they set encouraged three or four others in the community to donate plasma. Later this month, the community is looking to make more donations.
Said Bhaisaheb Nuruddin, “We asked youngsters to come forward and have been calling up people who have been cured to enlist them for becoming plasma donors. On our request, the Bhailal Amin General Hospital has allowed videography of the donation process with explanations from their experts so that more people are motivated.”
Nuruddin’s younger brother Dr Bhaisaheb Zulkarnain, who practices homoeopathy had been reading up on plasma therapy ever since he went into home quarantine after testing positive on May 15. “After detailed study, I made my first donation on June 23 and then even later. The Syedna is not able to do so as he is not completely fit, but has been motivating us a lot,” Zulkarnain said. The others who donated plasma include the Syedna’s son Bhaisaheb Murtuza and Nuriddin’s son Kumail.
The lead taken by the family has shown results with many now keen on donating plasma. Liyakat Petiwala (64) did so despite his ripe age about 10 days back. “I had high blood pressure and diabetes, but decided to donate after the doctors gave a go ahead. It has had no effect on my health. If someone can benefit from our gesture, we should definitely do it. If needed, I will do so again,” he said.