Penang Govt Requests For Blood As Dengue Rises

PENANG, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- The state government has sent out an urgent request for more blood donations to fill hospital blood banks in view of the deteriorating dengue situation.
Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the number of confirmed dengue cases had risen and there was an urgent need for more blood.
As at 9 am today, 80 people had been admitted into government hospitals and 12 more into private hospitals. Seventeen of them were confirmed dengue cases.
Two persons, a man and a woman were still being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while another had been transferred from the ICU to an ordinary ward of the Penang Hospital today, he said.
The number of deaths due to dengue remained at six.
Asked whether the blood banks were in a critical state due to lack of blood, he said: "Don't say critical, say we must be prepared in view of the fasting month because the number of blood donors is less during the fasting month.
Most Malays do not donate blood during the fasting month.
Speaking at a Press conference after visiting dengue patients at the Penang Hospital here, today, he said the hospital required much blood as many dengue cases were referred to it.
"What is important is, from today, the public are urged to donate blood and what is even more important, they should step up efforts to destroy the breeding places of aedes mosquitoes in their respective areas.
"Please make a real effort if you value your life and family...Everybody must view the fight against dengue from this angle," he said.
Koh said the volume at the blood banks of various hospitals would be announced later and all hospitals must co-operate in this move.
The dengue situation in the state was still "a cause for concern" in view of the many cases being referred for treatment at both public and private hospitals, he said, adding that all agencies and organisations involved in maintaining cleanliness must redouble their efforts to eliminate the disease.
"We are still in a state of war, and efforts must be stepped up to eliminate the disease, including in areas which are still not considered "hot", he said.