JOHOR BARU: Johor requires an average of 250 bags of blood per day to meet the needs of patients in hospitals here, says Dr Mohtar Pungut.
The state Health director added that the amount was needed despite Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) recording an increase in blood donors last year.
“In 2023, the number of successful blood donations at HSA increased to 35,274 blood bags, which is an increase by 6% compared to 2022,” he said after officiating the HSA-level World Blood Donors Day celebration here on Tuesday (Aug 27).
Dr Mohtar said he was proud of such achievement, which is the result of effort and contribution from everyone, including campaign organisers and blood donors.
He hoped such efforts can be maintained and become a catalyst to raise awareness on the importance of donating blood continuously for the whole of society in Malaysia.
Dr Mohtar said that there were no medicines or synthetic material that can replace blood completely where the need for blood transfusion was greatly needed at any time, especially during medical emergency cases.
“At the same time, there are patients who require regular blood transfusions for survival such as thalassemia patients and cancer patients.
“Therefore, I would like to emphasise how much it means to those that have been involved in the process of donating blood to meet the needs of patients in the hospital where on average 250 bags of blood per day is required in Johor,” he added.
