Reluctance Of Kins To Donate Blood, A Headache To SGH Blood Bank

KUCHING, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- The reluctance of relatives to come forward to donate blood for patients undergoing emergency operations are some of the setbacks faced by the Sarawak General Hospital's (SGH) blood bank in replenishing its supply.
Chairman of the Kuching Chapter of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society Blood Donor Recruitment Program, Ayub Abdul Rahman said Tuesday the SGH's blood bank required an average of between 50-70 pints of blood on a normal day.
"At the moment, the blood bank is facing problems because it cannot force close relatives of patients in such dire needs to give their blood even if their blood types match," he told Bernama here.
He said at present, the blood bank was not getting enough supply even though social taboos concerning donating blood, especially amongst certain cultures, had improved a lot over the years.
Generally supply from the blood bank was given to patients, most in need of blood, such as those involved in accident cases as well as undergoing major surgeries and complicated deliveries, he said.
Ayub said priority was also being given to children with blood diseases, including leukaemia and anaemia, as they needed regular blood transfusions.
As such he appealed to non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including social and recreational clubs, as well as government departments and agencies to come forward to donate blood for a good cause.
Students, particularly from the local institutions of higher learning, were also encouraged to donate blood prior to going for their year-end semester breaks and school holidays, he said.
Members of the public could come to the SGH's blood bank here to donate blood during office hours, he said.