The Indian community in Rwanda, under their umbrella association, the Indian Association of Rwanda (INAR), yesterday, donated blood as part of the celebrations to mark the 65th India Independence Day slated for August 15.

The exercise, which took place at UTEXRWA grounds in Kigali, attracted over 100 Indians who donated blood at the event conducted by the National Centre for Blood Transfusion Services (NCBT).

Speaking to The Sunday Times after donating blood, INAR Chairman Dinesh Kalyan, said that the initiative will help save people’s lives, most especially patients who are in dire need of blood.

"We are proud of donating blood because blood is the mother of all donations since it directly gives life to another human being. It does not only help one individual but the entire family of that patient,” he said.

Kalyan stressed that the Indian Community is interested in helping the country in the development process.

He hailed the Indian Community who turned up in big numbers to participate in the noble cause and pledged to continue taking part in the blood donation drive.

The Regional Head of NCBT, Dr Peter Kimenyi, thanked the Indian Community for the blood donation.

"This is a sign of goodwill and responsibility. The Indians told us that they want to give a hand in donating blood and we were so pleased by their proposal,” he said.

"This doesn’t mean that we have a blood shortage at NCBT, it’s because we need to keep it regular and maintain a constant supply of safe adequate blood at all health facilities in the country.”

He mentioned that the Indian Community is the first foreign community in Rwanda to donate blood.

Kimenyi stressed that there are so many patients in hospitals who badly need blood for their survival.

INAR provides a common identity to the Indian Community in Rwanda through promotion of unity, friendship and goodwill based on mutual understanding and cooperation.

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