By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, June 15: Northern Sarawak Journalists Association (NSJA) members were today urged to continue educating the public about the value of donating blood.
In making the call, Assistant Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin observed that there were still misconception about blood donation, although not as bad as before.
“Some people still have misconception about donating blood. They consider it a taboo kind of thing, and this occurs especially among the older generation of the Chinese community.
“But this kind of thinking is slowly changing, thanks to continuous awareness campaigns done over the years,” Lee said at NSJA’s blood donation cum health screening campaign for its members at Bintang Megamall, here.
He emphasised that journalists were agents of change in the society and their duty goes beyond merely reporting and writing stories.
“Journalists have a crucial role to play by initiating something to change common misconception about donating blood, for instance.
“Donating blood will not affect the donor’s health. It is essential that we have sufficient blood to help those in need. In fact, giving blood saves lives,” said Lee, who applauded NSJA for giving Miri Hospital’s Blood Bank a hand.
Ninety-two people registered for the event, but only 70 were eligible to donate their blood.
On another matter, Lee commended NSJA for increasing its annual health-screening incentive for its members from RM100 to RM200, which proved that the association cared about its members.
At the event, he presented a cheque for RM10,000 to NSJA for the association’s annual health-screening initiative.
Also present were Miri Hospital director Dr Jack Wong, NSJA president Andy Jong, councillor Karambir Singh, Miri Fire and Rescue chief Supt Law Poh Kiong and organising chairman Lee Cheng Choi. — DayakDaily
