SGH blood bank kicks off three-day mobile donation drive today

KUCHING: The Sarawak General Hospital ( SGH) blood bank, through a mobile unit, is running a donation drive at three locations across the city from today (Jan 24) until Thursday (Jan 26).

According to a spokesperson, the activity is meant to stock up blood supply ahead of the Chinese New Year celebrations, as the blood bank will be closed from Jan 28 to 30.

Today, the mobile unit is scheduled to be at Industrial Training Institute ( ILP) Kota Samarahan, operating from 9am to 3pm. It will proceed to Bangunan Baitulmakmur ( Masja) at Petra Jaya here tomorrow, opening from 9am to 1pm.

On Thursday, the unit will be at the Ranchang Room of Damai Beach Resort, running from 9am to 12.30pm.

Additionally, those wishing to donate can also stop by at the blood donation counter in SGH, which is open from 8am to 4.30pm, Mondays to Fridays except on public holidays.

“The donors will not have to worry about parking as SGH has specifically allocated six parking bays for blood donors.

“This should be sufficient as they would not normally come at the same time. We are also open during lunch hour,” said the blood bank spokesperson when contacted yesterday.

It is learned that 60 per cent of blood donors here are Chinese and as such, the blood bank needs to constantly make sure that its supply is sufficient throughout the Lunar New Year season.

“There was once a period when Chinese donors were reluctant to donate blood during the Chinese New Year celebration, but this has changed over the years.

“At the very least, we have not experienced any problem in ensuring sufficient blood supply during Chinese New Year over the past couple of years,” said the spokesperson.