MALAYSIA requires an estimated 2,000 units of blood each day to meet the medical and emergency needs of hospitals nationwide. In the Klang Valley alone, the National Blood Centre (PDN) needs at least 600 units daily to supply both public and private hospitals.
Dr Ambika Nakulan, Medical Officer and Secretariat for Rare Blood Donors at PDN, explained that these figures cover all blood types, including rare varieties such as RhD negative, which are essential for patients across the country.
“These estimates are used to treat roughly 1,000 patients daily. High blood usage is partly due to patients who require regular transfusions, including those with cancer or thalassemia.
“At the same time, there are cases of unexpected shortages during emergencies, such as accidents, postpartum haemorrhage, and premature births,” she said.
Dr Ambika highlighted that securing sufficient blood supply becomes particularly challenging during school holidays and major festive periods when many donors travel abroad. Misconceptions and negative perceptions about blood donation also discourage participation.
“Many still believe that donating blood weakens the body, but in reality, the human body contains 4.5 to 5.5 litres of blood, and only 10 per cent, or 450 to 550 millilitres, is donated at a time. Donors who meet the criteria will not experience weakness,” she added.
She also dismissed myths suggesting that blood donation leads to weight gain, noting that each donation burns approximately 650 calories. Concerns about infection are unfounded, as every needle used is single-use and sterile.
Malaysia recognises 48 blood types worldwide, with 10 to 20 classified as extremely rare.
Dr Nor Hafizah Ahmad, Head of Clinical Transfusion at PDN and Chair of the National Rare Blood Committee, said the country has identified rare types including Bombay, Jka-b-, Rh null, RZRZ, KK, Fya-b-, Parabombay, RH17, and Indian B negative.
Most recently, a U negative phenotype was identified in a Middle Eastern student studying in Malaysia.
“Malaysia is unique in being able to meet the demand for these special blood types without relying on imports.
“Rare blood, including Golden Blood, is stored frozen at minus 80 degrees Celsius and can be preserved for up to 10 years for patients requiring specialised transfusions,” Dr Nor Hafizah added.
She noted that the ABO and Rhesus systems remain the most commonly used blood types in routine transfusions.
In Malaysia, almost 50 per cent of the population has type O, 20 per cent type A, 20 per cent type B, and 10 per cent type AB, a distribution differing from countries such as Sweden, where type A predominates.
The appeal for donors underscores the ongoing need to safeguard both routine and emergency medical care, ensuring the availability of life-saving blood for all Malaysians, particularly those requiring rare types. - February 8, 2026
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