The Gift of Life Meets the Wall of Apathy: The Plight of Blood Donors in Kashmir

Credit By: ABRAR KHAN

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• 09 May 2026

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Why are the government’s own directives for donor welfare being trampled upon by hospital staff?

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In the heart of Kashmir, where community spirit and resilience define our identity, there exists a silent army of heroes: our voluntary blood donors. These individuals, driven by the purest form of humanity, provide the "precious" gift that keeps our healthcare system breathing.

However, as a volunteer for KTMF Humanities who stands on the front lines of these donation drives along with countless other dedicated brothers and sisters across Jammu and Kashmir, I find it my duty to highlight a distressing reality. What should be a seamless act of charity has become a journey of frustration and blatant disrespect within our hospital corridors.

​The most glaring issue remains the rigid "working hours" mentality that stifles life-saving efforts. It is a common and painful occurrence for donors, many of whom travel from distant districts and rural pockets, to be refused after 4:00 p.m. These volunteers often leave their businesses or workplaces late in the day specifically to contribute, yet they are met with locked doors or indifferent staff stating that "bleeding" has concluded for the day. Blood does not stop being a necessity when the clock strikes four, and it is a logistical failure of the highest order to turn away a willing saviour based on a shift schedule.

​Adding insult to injury is the shocking practice of charging donors for their own blood tests. It is deeply humiliating that a person who has come to give their blood for free is asked to pay out of their own pocket for the mandatory screening and testing procedures. Despite our repeated requests and formal complaints to the authorities, this exploitative practice continues unabated on the ground. To make matters worse, donors are often subjected to ridicule; after waiting for long periods, many are unceremoniously dismissed after just half an hour, treated as though their time and sacrifice hold no value.

​Furthermore, the physical and financial hurdles remain high. Many donors arrive from far-off places only to be penalised with exorbitant parking fees at hospital premises. Instead of being welcomed with open arms, they are caught in a web of administrative "text and stuff"—needless bureaucratic delays and a lack of proper guidance. While the government has historically issued directives to streamline donor care, the ground reality reflects a significant lack of contribution toward donor comfort. There are no dedicated fast-track queues, and the provision of basic refreshments, which is medically essential post-donation, is ignored.

As a representative of both the trading community and the humanitarian sector, I have consistently advocated for a more dignified protocol. We have previously recommended that every hospital must provide free and priority access to parking lots for registered donors. Their time is as valuable as the blood they provide, and they should be given "First Preference" in all hospital interactions.

Every donor should be recognised not as a statistic, but as a guest of honour. It is time the hospital administrations in Kashmir recognise that while the blood is free, the spirit of the donor is not inexhaustible.

​I must ask a direct question to the concerned authorities: Is this the reward for selfless service? Why are the government’s own directives for donor welfare being trampled upon by hospital staff?

We appeal to the highest offices of the land to intervene and ensure that blood banks remain open, testing fees are abolished for volunteers, and the "parking tax" on charity is ended immediately. If we continue to ignore these basic needs, we risk discouraging the very people who keep our society's heart beating. We give life; the system must, at the very least, give us respect.

(The Author is Chairman, Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), Chairman, J&K Economic Research and Development Forum and a Volunteer, KTMF Humanities)