1.5 million blood donors sought

Star: SUBANG JAYA: The Health Ministry has targeted 1.5 million donors to provide a constant blood supply throughout the year, said Health parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon yesterday.
Currently, the National Blood Bank collects 450,000 units of blood a year from 1.8% (about half a million) of the population, with some people donating several times a year, he said during a press conference to announce the National Association of Malaysian Life Insurance and Financial Advisors’ donation campaign on Saturday.
“We hope with the help of NGOs, we’ll be able to achieve the 1.5 million and 100% volunteer donors.”
The number of blood units donated has increased from 200,000 in the 1990s to the current number of units because NGOs have stepped forward to promote and organise blood donation drives, he said.
He said 99% of blood donors were volunteer donors, and that less than 1% of the blood donated was tainted.
The Health Ministry has 110 blood banks throughout the country.