KUCHING: The state government appeals to the public to donate blood to ensure sufficient blood supply in Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) Blood Bank.
‘The Late Datuk Seri Pui Sing Min Blood Donation Drive’ was organised jointly by Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) Kuching District, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and Teck Kong Group Sdn Bhd, here at MBKS community hall today.
Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the blood donors who came voluntarily and said that it is an important movement as SGH needs sufficient blood supplies as they use up to 70 pints of blood per day.
“Although surgery during movement control order (MCO) had decreased, it is still important to maintain adequate blood supply.
“In Kuching, Sibu and Miri, we are very fortunate that it is easy nowadays to get blood supply via blood donation as many people are willing to volunteer donating their blood.
“This also includes blood transfusion at no cost,” he told reporters at the blood donation campaign today.
Moreover, Dr Sim also revealed that the state government supports the costs of processing all of the donated blood as they need to get tested beforehand for HIV, Hepatitis and other diseases.
“We would also want to thank our corporate sponsors in giving out small tokens of appreciation to our blood donors,” he continued.
Furthermore, Dr Sim also thanked MBKS for their collaboration with other private organisations to organise blood donation drives every week at shopping malls.
“It is also equally important to practise social distancing during these blood donation drives, as the state is still fighting with the pandemic,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, MBKS mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng stated that the blood donation drive targeted 150 donors for the day.
“Even though the hall has been closed since last month, MBKS will always support any blood donation campaign by providing a venue for the organisation,” he explained.
Additionally, the blood donation drive was organised by Teck Kong Group Sdn Bhd’s heir, Penghulu Datuk Alex Pui Chow Hin, in remembrance of his late father, Datuk Seri Pui Sing Min — a prominent business figure and community leader.
