Sibu Hospital blood usage increases
SIBU: Sibu Hospital’s blood requirements have increased to 700 pints a month.
Blood bank assistant information officer Lily Sinta said the increase in usage occurred over the past two years.
“In the past, we were comfortable with an average 650 pints collected per month. But these past two years, we need more than 700 pints collected per month to maintain safe blood stock levels,” she told The Borneo Post.
“The total pints usage for the hospital on average is 700 pints per month. In this regard, procurement also needs to increase to meet the demand.”
She said the blood bank collected 7,485 pints last year compared to 7,307 in 2016.
Lily pointed out the current blood stock is still below safe level, especially for type B and AB blood.
She encouraged groups to hold blood drives at least twice a year and to target Form 6 and tertiary students.
“This is to get more new and young donors; create awareness amongst young and new donors of the importance of voluntary and non-remunerated blood donation, and to replace donors who are no longer suitable for blood donation,” she explained.
She added referral hospitals in the central region, namely Sarikei, Saratok, Mukah, Daro, Kanowit, and Kapit, need help with blood components such as platelets and plasma as they do not process their own.
Potential donors here can head to the Total Reliability Sdn Bhd blood drive at Campus Park, Wawasan Road today between 9am and 2pm, or the Sibu Life Care Society’s campaign at Delta Mall tomorrow (March 25) from 9am till 2pm.