Covid-19 free people urged to donate blood

KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Red Crescent Society (BSMM) Sabah branch called upon healthy people to safely donate blood and not to let the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) stop them from saving lives.

BSMM Sabah chairman Datuk Asnan Yunus Chung said the blood donation drive, organized with the cooperation of Queen Elizabeth Hospital II (QEHII) Blood Bank Unit and Sabah Youth Council (MBS), will be held for three days, March 30-April 1, at the BSMM Sabah Headquarters from 10am to 3pm daily.

“I, representing BSMM Sabah, appeal for the cooperation of the public to quickly come forth to help QEHII by donating blood,” he said in a statement here.

But at the same time, he stressed that donors must be honest and ensure they are free of Covid-19.

“I have been made to understand, the blood donation activities throughout Sabah have also been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and Movement Control Order (MCO) enforcement.

“Various efforts have been undertaken by the hospital including promotion on social media. However, the number of donors is still at a minimum. Majority of organized blood donation campaigns have also been cancelled because of the community’s concern of Covid19,” he added.

Asnan assured that BSMM understands the people’s apprehension towards the Covid19 and have taken adequate precautions to safeguard the people’s health during the blood donation drive.

He said the cooperation that exists between BSMM Sabah and QEHII Blood Bank throughout the campaign period can guarantee a blood transfusion process that is clean, of quality and safe.

“Donors need not be afraid of the disease because BSMM and QEHII Blood Bank Unit will take precautionary steps for each donor.

“BSMM will ensure the body temperature of each donor is at normal levels, and that they do not have a fever or have cough, sore throat, difficulty in breathing or flu.

“Disinfection will also be done a few days before the program with the help of QEHII at the program area,” he assured.