National Blood Centre sends out SOS

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Blood Centre has sent out an urgent appeal to those with blood types A and AB to step forward.

The centre said its stock of blood types A and AB are not at a satisfactory level.

“Please make an effort to donate soon, ” the centre said in a message on its Facebook page yesterday.

The graphic in the post showed as of yesterday blood types O and B were adequate, but types A and AB were at moderate levels.

Echoing the same appeal, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah also called on the public to respond to the blood shortage that usually happens during Ramadan, though this one is made worse by the movement control order (MCO).

“During the enforcement of the MCO, blood supply at the National Blood Centre and other centres throughout the country decreased by 40% compared to previous years.

“For example, blood collection from March to May 2018 was 111,328 bags.

“However, the collection for the corresponding period this year was only 67,135 bags.

“Despite various promotional activities, the status of blood collection has not been satisfactory to date, reaching only 57% of the target, ” he said at his daily Covid-19 media briefing in Putrajaya yesterday.

Dr Noor Hisham said that to mitigate the situation, operations of the National Blood Centre and other blood centres throughout the country have been extended until 9pm during Ramadan.

Various other collection points such as malls and community centres are also open. The centre’s Facebook page showed at least eight malls in the Klang Valley having blood collection activities today.

The National Blood Centre added that those who have recovered from Covid-19 must wait for at least 28 days before donating blood.

Those who have been in close contact with a Covid-19 patient or those under investigation for Covid-19 are not allowed to donate until 28 days after the date of contact.

Those who have returned from countries with Covid-19 cases also have to wait for 28 days before donating.

More information can be found at pdn.gov.my, Facebook (Pusat Darah Negara Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia), or the respective blood centres in each state.