KUCHING: The Blood Bank Centre at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) has extended its daily operations hours because of the increasing demand for blood at the hospital.
From Monday to Thursday, the centre’s operations hours are from 8 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 4.30 pm. There will be a one-hour break from 1 pm to 2 pm.
On Fridays, the centre’s operations hours are from 8 am to 11.30 am and from 2.15 pm to 4.30 pm. There will be a break from 11.30 am to 2.15 pm.
On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, those interested in donating blood can refer to the relevant social media channels for the mobile blood donation weekly campaign schedule, namely ‘Blood Bank Hospital Umum Sarawak’ on Facebook and ‘Blood Bank HUS’ on Instagram and Twitter.
“The new change in operating hours gives donors the opportunity to come and donate at the SGH Blood Bank Centre during working days.
“In addition, parking facilities are provided free of charge in front of the SGH Blood Bank Centre building,” said the Department of Transfusion Services and Blood Bank, SGH in a statement on Tuesday (May 18).
It explained that the SGH was currently facing a shortage of Type B and Type A blood, adding that their optimal use for emergency cases had contributed to this situation.
“If prolonged, it is feared that this will affect the daily operations at SGH,” said the department.
It appealed to blood donors who had reached the sufficient period of three months from the last date of donation to come forward to donate blood at the Blood Bank Centre or at its mobile blood donation campaigns on weekends.
“We welcome blood donors to help us increase the SGH’s current blood supply,” it said.
The department added blood donors were required to scan the MySejahtera QR code before entering the SGH Blood Bank Centre building. They must also obtain a visitor pass from the security guard on duty.
The SGH Blood Bank Centre always adopts Covid-19 prevention measures such as disinfecting blood donation equipment including donor beds after a person donates blood.
“Attending blood donors are also requested to practise the new norm and take care of mutual safety,” said the department.
