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Rise in willingness to donate blood

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TING (seated centre) poses with guests and blood donors.

MIRI: The number of blood donors here went down in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, this situation changed in 2021 when the turnout began to increase gradually – from 7,091 in 2020 to 7, 355 in 2021.

“From the figures, 4,588 were male donors; 2,767 were female; 1,292 were new donors; 5,453 were regulars and 610 were lapsed donors,” revealed Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew.

The Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts added that the pandemic proved to be a challenge for donors to come out and donate blood due to the movement restrictions imposed.

Ting, who is also the Piasau assemblyman, was speaking at a blood donation programme held in conjunction with World Blood Donor Day at Miri Hospital yesterday.

“Miri is blessed because we have many generous people who are willing to come forward and help ensure that the blood supply at Miri Hospital is always enough.”

During the event, he presented certificates of appreciation to eight donors who made the most blood donations in the district.

“Because of the overwhelming response from the community, Miri Hospital is able to not only supply blood within this division but also to other places such as Marudi, Bintulu, Lawas and even Sabah.

“In the 90s, people had little interest in donating blood but now, this attitude has changed.”

Also present were Miri Hospital Visitors Board chairman Cr. Karambir Singh, Miri Hospital deputy director Dr Francis Heng Eng Khai and Northern Sarawak Journalists Association president Andy Jong Wan Joon.

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