World Blood Donor Day
SIBU: A total of 8,317 bags of blood were collected by Sibu Hospital last year, with district hospitals in the central region contributing an additional 4,519 bags.
Revealing this, Sibu Hospital deputy director, Dr Rachel Teng Li Cin, said that this is a remarkable achievement for the region.
“However, we must also acknowledge some emerging challenges. Blood collection trends are declining compared to previous years. This is largely due to an aging population and a noticeable drop in younger donors stepping forward.
“This is why continuous and new donor recruitment is critical. We must actively engage our youth, educate the public, and foster a culture where blood donation is seen as a civic duty and a source of pride,” she said at the celebration of World Blood Donor Day organised by the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) Sibu branch in collaboration with Sibu Hospital, held in a hotel here on Sunday (July 6).
Despite the challenges, Dr Teng, who is also the MRCS Sibu branch vice chairperson, extended her heartfelt congratulations to all blood donation campaign organisers, volunteers, and supporters across the central region.
She acknowledged that their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment have made it possible to maintain a stable and sufficient blood supply in the central region.
According to her, the success of the central region — especially in Sibu — would not have been achievable without the strong collaboration between government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and the local community.
“The partnership between the MRCS and Sibu Hospital is a perfect example of what we can accomplish when we work together toward a common goal.
“Together, we have not only collected blood — we have saved lives. We have built systems and relationships that will ensure universal access to safe blood transfusion is not just an ambition, but a reality,” she added.
Dr Teng also shared that Sarawak holds the highest per-capita blood donation rate in Malaysia.
Approximately, she said, 1.6 per cent of Sarawak’s eligible population aged 17 to 65 donated blood in the past year.
Sarawak also boasts the highest percentage of regular blood donors in Malaysia. She added that while the national target is for 65 per cent of donations to come from regular donors, in Sibu, that number is above 80 per cent.
“This is a testament to the dedication of our people and the strong blood donation culture we’ve built together,” Dr Teng said.
Meanwhile, taking a closer look at the demand, she said that approximately 2,000 to 2,200 bags of blood are required every day in Malaysia to meet the needs of about 1,000 patients.
This demand, she said, remains consistent throughout the year — during holidays, school breaks, and even pandemics.
She said that last year, Malaysia collected around 800,000 blood bags, which is an achievement to be proud of, but it still falls short of the national target — which is for three per cent of the population to donate blood regularly.
“At present, we are averaging between 2.2 and 2.5 per cent. The gap may seem small, but in a country of over 30 million people, it means thousands of patients may not receive timely transfusions,” she said.
World Blood Donor Day, Dr Teng said, was officially designated by the World Health Assembly on June 14, 2005, as a global occasion dedicated to celebrating and thanking blood donors for their life-saving gifts, and to raise awareness on the need for safe and timely blood transfusion for all.
Explaining that the theme for this year’s campaign is: “Give blood, give hope: together we save lives”, she said it reminds us that giving blood is more than a medical act — it is a powerful symbol of hope, compassion, and solidarity.
The campaign, she stressed, highlights the transformative role blood donors play in the lives of those in need — from trauma victims to cancer patients, from children with thalassemia to mothers facing complications during childbirth.
“This theme also encourages us to go beyond numbers — to share the real stories behind each donation. Stories of people whose lives were saved thanks to donated blood, and the personal motivations of donors who return time and time again.
“These stories inspire regular donors to keep donating, and more importantly, encourage healthy individuals — especially youth — to step up and become first-time donors,” Dr Teng, who is also the event’s organising chairperson, added.
Among those present were MRCS Sarawak Chapter chairman, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam; Sibu MP, Oscar Ling Chai Yew; Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman, Clarence Ting Ing Horth; MRCS Sibu branch advisor, Temenggong Datuk Vincent Lau Lee Ming; and MRCS Sibu branch chairman, Penghulu Chua Hiong Kee.
