KUCHING: The Blood Bank of Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) is urgently calling for blood donations to meet the critical needs of several patients this week.
In a statement today, the Blood Bank stressed that the hospital is facing increased demand due to multiple emergency cases.
It added that these cases do not include routine surgeries, elective procedures, or blood transfusions for cancer patients, thalassemia, or mothers with postpartum hemorrhage.
“We thank all donors for their generosity. Our centre at SGH is open today, and we aim to collect 30 bags. We urge the public to continue supporting us,” it said.
Blood Bank said that one of the critical cases involved a 51-year-old male patient who suffered severe bleeding due to a road traffic accident.
Six bags of O+ blood were provided to support the surgery, which was successfully carried out.
In another case, an 11-year-old boy undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia urgently required two bags of B+ blood due to a blood shortage.
“A 69-year-old woman with severe heart complications from a bacterial infection needed two bags of AB+ blood to stabilise her condition,” it added.
The Blood Bank also reported a 20-year-old male patient in the ICU suffering from massive intestinal bleeding.
Four bags of A+ blood were provided to help stabilise his condition.
Blood donation is critical in Sarawak, with SGH Blood Bank requiring 70 to 75 bags daily for emergency treatments and surgeries.
Blood has a limited shelf life, making continuous donations necessary.
Eligible donors in Sarawak must be between 18 and 60 years old, weigh at least 45 kg, and be healthy.
Mobile donation drives are organised to reach more donors.
From 2019 to 2022, Sarawak saw a 15 per cent increase in blood collections, reaching 56,000 units annually.
The Sarawak Blood Donor Society, with over 50,000 donors, actively promotes blood donation through campaigns.
In Malaysia, only 2.2 per cent to 2.3 per cent of the population donates blood, with the government aiming to raise this to 3.5 per cent by 2030.
While the majority of donations are whole blood, apheresis donations are also vital.
Globally, blood donations are crucial for surgeries, trauma care, and cancer treatments.
One donation can save up to three lives, and type O negative is the universal donor.
However, public awareness campaigns need to grow to ensure a stable blood supply.
