MIRI: The Northern Sarawak Journalists Association’s (NSJA) blood donation drive today at the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC), Miri Chapter Training Institute at Jalan Bulan Sabit here set a new record with 134 registered donors coming to donate their blood.
Out of that figure, 108 succeeded in bleeding for a good cause, namely to save life in the campaign that was held in conjunction with the World Blood Donor Day.
According to NSJA’s president Andy Jong Wan Joon, the number was the highest so far recorded since January this year at the said donation centre.
Following the movement control order (MCO) imposed in May and now extended to June 28 due the surge in Covid-19 cases, mobile blood donations were not permitted, namely those held at public places such as shopping malls and others.
Thus, MRC Miri Chapter Training Institute has been set up and serves as blood donation one-stop centre for donors during this pandemic period, apart from Miri Hospital Blood Bank.
Previous blood donations at MRC Miri chapter Training Institute recorded numbers of blood donors below 100.
Jong when met later attributed the success to increase in public awareness of the need to sustain blood supply at Miri Hospital Blood Bank.
Also present at the event was state Minister of Transport Datuk Lee Kim Shin was accompanied by Miri mayor Adam Yii.
Meanwhile, Lee also reassured blood donors wishing to come and donate their blood during the lockdown period, that they need not apply police written permit for the purpose, as donating blood is considered as one of essential services.
“They just need to produce their blood donation cards or appointments for the purpose,” he pointed out.
Miri requires about 20 to 30 pints of blood daily to cater for patients who are in need especially transfusion dependent Thalassemia patients who require blood transfusion every two to four weeks for their entire life, postpartum hemorrhage, cancer, accident cases and others.
“Blood donation is considered essential service, so blood donors should not worry; they can come to our centre in Miri Hospital. We also encourage the younger groups to donate and become our regular blood donors,” Lee said.
