Phulbani: Nineteen-year-old Seikh Shakir broke his Ramazan fast to accept intravenous fluid and donate his blood to save a critically-ill pregnant woman in Kandhamal district on Thursday.

Shakir, a native of Peonpada locality in Phulbani town, felt that humanity was his first religion and nothing was more important to him than being able to save a life.

The woman, Anjali Malik, admitted to the obstetrics and gynaecology ward of the district headquarters hospital, was in urgent need of AB+ blood. As the hospital's blood bank did not have any stock of AB+ blood, the patient's husband, Dharmendra Mallick, started searching frantically for a donor.

Shakir, who had donated blood in the past as well, came to rescue of the woman as soon as hearing the news.

"I was feeling fatigued and exhausted because I had been fasting. Still, I rushed to the hospital to save a precious human life. Doctors were initially reluctant to take my blood as I was on a fast. But I convinced them and donated blood which was transfused to the patient. I am delighted to know that the woman is now recovering after blood transfusion. I pray to Allah for her safe childbirth," said Shakir, who works as a motorcycle mechanic.

"The pregnant woman was suffering from anaemia and her condition was deteriorating fast. Her life could not have been saved without a blood transfusion. She may require another round of blood transfusion in the next 48 hours. The Red Cross Blood Bank will have stock of AB+ blood in a day or two from prospective donors for that," said additional district medical officer Kurunakar Pradhan.

"We had asked Shakir not to donate blood as he was fasting. But he was insistent on donating blood to save her life. Then we conducted a thorough medical check-up on him. He was administered intravenous fluid as well. His blood was drawn only after the blood bank declared him fit following intake of intravenous fluid," he said.