KOTA KINABALU – Blood supply in Sabah is running critically low as several hospitals have shut down their collection units following Covid-19 infections.
The state has to replenish some 80,000 pints of blood to treat at least 1,819 thalassemia patients and hundreds more suffering from anemia.
Sabah has the highest number of thalassemia patients in Malaysia, and is No. 2 when it comes to anemia.
Blood transfusions are also needed for pregnant women, cancer patients and those who have undergone major surgeries.
A Sabah Red Crescent Society spokesman said Queen Elizabeth Hospital I, Kudat Hospital and Tuaran Hospital were forced to close their blood bank units due to coronavirus cases.
“The units had to be closed down after several hospital workers were found to be positive for Covid-19.
“The situation is so critical that Sabah had to borrow blood supply from Kuala Lumpur Hospital and Sarawak Hospital twice – 600 pints in March and 850 pints in September.”
An average of 70,000 units of blood are transfused statewide each year, but the amount needed this time is higher, said a Red Crescent member.
Sabah health director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi did not respond to The Vibes’ request for comment.
To date, 198 healthcare workers in the state have been infected with Covid-19, with 85 of them testing positive in the first 10 days of this month.
A Red Crescent source said the group has had to organise blood donation drives outside hospital areas as donors are scared of being near medical facilities amid the pandemic.
There are 3,429 active Covid-19 cases in Sabah, with the disease claiming 46 lives in the state to date.
The Red Crescent has scheduled a blood donation drive at its office at Wisma Wanita today and in Tuaran on Sunday. – The Vibes, October 16, 2020
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