KUCHING: Sarawak continues to record the highest blood donation rate in Malaysia despite making up only eight per cent of the country’s population.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian credited this to the blood donors and the selfless spirit of Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) Sarawak volunteers.
“During disaster times, be it flood, fire, landslides, COVID-19, you can count on MRCS Sarawak.
“During normal times, you can also count on the volunteers of MRCS Sarawak for blood donation drives, medical screening, ambulance service, first aid training, and more,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Earlier yesterday, Dr Sim was present to witness the handover ceremony of a new ambulance to the MRCS Sarawak in conjunction with the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2025 at its Hotspot 999 Ambulance Service at Mydin Samariang Mall.
The Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister then expressed his appreciation to the public for their support, including generous donations that made possible the acquisition of a new Type C ambulance.
“Thanks to Mr Joseph Ho, the Managing Director of Thien Lee Marketing Sdn Bhd, whose company raised funds through the sale of products (carrying) the MRCS logo,” he said.
In 2022, MRCS Sarawak launched the Hotspot 999 Ambulance Service at Mydin Samariang Mall as an effort to provide faster emergency response time for the community.
The project was a collaborative effort started by the Ministry of Health (MOH) together with St John Ambulance of Malaysia and MRCS to establish a decentralised ambulance to be based at a strategic location in Kuching.
Hotspot 999 Ambulance Services are often placed at hotspots or areas where a high number of Malaysia Emergency Response Service 999 (MERS 999) calls are made.
