By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, June 11: Nearly 5,200 residents have signed up to donate blood at the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) Miri Chapter in the past 15 months since the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in March last year.
MRC Miri Blood Donor Recruitment Committee deputy chairman Cr Karambir Singh said, until last Sunday (June 6), 116 blood donation campaigns have been organised at MRC Miri Branch since March 25, 2020.
The activities have received encouraging response from donors and other organisers, added.
Karambit said that a total of 5,191 people have come forward as donors and 4,383 people were eligible to donate blood and 4,383 pints of blood were successfully collected for the Miri Hospital Blood Bank.
“Kudos to all the Miri blood donors and your help to save lives,” he said.
He stated that when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, MRC Miri Branch provided facilities for the public to donate blood with strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOP) since March 25, 2020.
The size of the MRC Training Institute was deemed suitable for handling blood donation activities, Karambir pointed out.
In view of the currently enforced MCO, donors are advised to come individually instead of in groups, and once inside the centre, they must observe proper social distancing.
On a related subject, Karambir said although the supply at Miri Hospital blood bank is although on the low side compared to pre-Covid 19 times, it is still considered manageable due to support of regular blood donors.
“On MRC Miri Branch side, we’re hoping that more donors could come in so that we’re able to stabilise the blood supply.”
The blood donation centre at MRC Training Institute opens to the public every Saturday and Sunday from 8.30am to 1pm.
For more information, contact Miri Hospital blood bank on 085-416 657, MRC Miri staff at 085-420236 during office hours or Karambir himself on 016-878 5500. — DayakDaily
