Hospitals ensure sufficient blood stock during CNY

KUCHING: Blood banks in divisional hospitals in the state are taking steps to ensure adequate blood supply throughout this festive season until February by increasing their blood stock.

In a press statement, Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) said this is to prevent shortage of blood supply as experienced in previous years during festive seasons.

“At the end of last year and earlier this year the stock of blood was good – that is, the level of 900 units is considered as safe for one week’s use.

“However, increase of blood usage and short lifespan for blood components especially platelets have led to a decrease in stock,” said the press statement.

It is estimated that blood usage increased by almost

20 per cent, more than ever before due to increased cases of surgery, anxiety, accidents and other uses by patients who need blood regularly, such as thalassemia patients and cancer patients.

The SGH Blood Bank will be holding a Chinese New Year Blood Donation Week and Apheresis Day promoting blood donation among blood donors from Jan 20 until 24.

It also said that the public may come to donate blood at the SGH Blood Bank and Blood Donation Mobile Unit or any blood donation drives nearest to them.

The SGH Blood Bank is open on Fridays (8am until 4.30pm including lunch time).

More information can be obtained through their website http://www.hus.gov. my or Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Those interested to organise blood donation campaigns can contact the person in charge at 082 276797/795 or email protdhus@gmail.com, the press statement added.

Meanwhile, this coming weekend, blood donation campaigns will be held at Mydin Petra Jaya (Saturday, Jan 18), Plaza Merdeka (Saturday, starts at noon), Mydin Samariang (Sunday, Jan 19 from 10am until 3pm) and at Giant Tabuan Jaya (Sunday, Jan 19 from 10am until 2pm).

The SGH Blood Bank is closed on Chinese New Year holidays and will commence operations on Jan 28.