KOTA KINABALU – Blood supply in Sabah is now at a critical level due to the spread of Covid-19, among others, as blood donation campaigns have had to be postponed.
Sabah Blood Donors Association (Pendarah) president Alix Sunggin said several blood donation campaigns planned by government statutory bodies and non-governmental organisations have had to be postponed for safety reasons due to the pandemic.
“Hospitals had to contact donors to come to the blood banks because some of them were hesitant to leave the house due to fear of contracting the disease,” he said.
Previously, state Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said that, due to the Covid-19 outbreak, blood supply in Sabah had declined by 20% this year following the cancellation of more than 200 blood donation campaigns involving a target of 6,000 donations.
Alix said various initiatives have been taken to ensure blood supply is always sufficient, including offering health policies for those who donate blood consistently, such as priority for the Covid-19 vaccine.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba was reported to have said that blood donors who have donated more than 50 times will be given priority to receive the Covid-19 vaccine shot.
In addition, Alix said Pendarah is continuing to work with various parties to organise blood donation campaigns, not only in the city centre, but in other districts, including in rural villages. – Bernama, May 23, 2021
