By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, June 15: The number of blood donors dropped when the Covid-19 pandemic started to spread in Miri district in 2020.
However, blood donor turnout starting to rebound gradually in the following year (2021) to 7,355 compared to only 7,091 in 2020.
“From this figures, 4,588 were male donors, 2,767 were female, 1,292 were new donors, 5,453 were regular donors and 610 were lapsed donors,” said Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew.
He noted the Covid-19 pandemic created barriers or obstacles for donors to come and donate blood due to the implementation of Covid-19 prevention measures.
Ting said this during the blood donation programme held in conjunction with World Blood Donor Day held at Miri Hospital today.
“Miri is blessed because we have many generous communities that willing to come forwards and help to ensuring that our blood supply in Miri Hospital Blood Bank sufficient,” he said.
He told those present that because of the overwhelming response by the local community towards blood donation, Miri Hospital blood bank is able not only to have supply for this division, but also supply to other districts such as Marudi, Bintulu, Lawas and even Sabah.
“In the 90’s, people had little interest in donating blood, but now, their attitude and perception towards donating blood donations have changed,” he pointed out.
In today’s event, eight blood donors were presented with certificate of appreciation.
Leading the recipients was Roslan Sebli who recently donated his 120th pint of blood. The other donors were Daniel Sagoh (70 pints), Teo Ai Hung (60 pints), Hii Kuok Ung (50 pints), Gui Chiat Lee (50 pints), and Sofina Tan Sofian Tan (40 pints).
Meanwhile, Irwin Matthew Menezes and Abang Faris Abang Mahmuddin were presented with rare blood donor awards.
Also present during the programme were Miri Hospital visitor board chairman Cr Karambir Singh Sangha, Miri Hospital deputy director Dr Francis Heng Eng Khai and the Northern Sarawak Journalists Association (NSJA) president Andy Jong Wan Joon. — DayakDaily
