By Olivia Miwil - October 15, 2020 @ 5:39pm
Sabah Malaysian Red Crescent Society said in a statement that it relied on the public to donate blood, apart from making requests to hospitals in Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak. -NSTP/File pic
KOTA KINABALU: With blood donors shying away from hospitals and blood banks temporarily closed in the wake of the increasing Covid-19 cases in the state, Sabah is experiencing a shortage of blood supply at its health facilities.
Sabah Malaysian Red Crescent Society said in a statement that it relied on the public to donate blood, apart from making requests to hospitals in Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak.
"In March, the state acquired 600 pints of blood, with another 850 pints in September.
"For Queen Elizabeth hospital and Queen Elizabeth II hospital here, both facilities need at least 300 pints a day," it said.
It stated that blood transfusion was important in the treatment of patients in road accidents, expectant mothers who face complications, premature babies, cancer patients and individuals with thalassaemia who require major surgeries.
The society said the current blood supply crisis was compounded by the closure of health facilities and people being sacred of getting infected from Covid-19.
Since early last month, Sabah has been recording new positive cases every day, apart from recording new clusters in several districts in the state.
For now, blood bank units at Queen Elizabeth hospital, Kudat and Tuaran have to be closed temporarily as some of their staff are suspected to be infected.
"Due to that reason, donors do not dare to come to hospital to donate their blood."
"Therefore, we have taken the initiative to help the blood bank to conduct blood donation drive by following the guidelines by the Health Ministry."
The society will conduct donation drive every Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays this month between 9am and 4pm at its headquarters near Wisma Wanita here.
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