MIRI: Fears about Covid-19 has kept people from wanting to donate blood. In the midst of Covid-19 pandemic, Miri Hospital Blood bank is urgently needing supplies to meet the needs of patients.
In highlighting this matter yesterday, a transfusion medicine specialist at Miri Hospital blood bank, Dr Norkhazarina Omar asserted that during the second week of January, the number of blood donors had severely decreased.
Citing a blood donation drive held during the week, she said, less than 20 donors had come to donate as they were afraid of getting infected with Covid-19.
“It was shocking to see very few donors coming forward to donate for a good cause. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented challenges to Miri Hospital’s blood supply,” she said.
Prior to the pandemic period, every blood drive that was held attracted 600 to 700 blood donors (per month).
Dr Norkhazarina stressed that it was crucial for Miri Hospital blood bank to maintain an adequate blood supply as it is vital to public health.
“If the situation persists for another three weeks, our supplies at the blood bank in Miri Hospital will be at a critical level,” she said.
Hence, she urged donors to come to the blood bank at Miri Hospital.
“Our blood bank is safe and furthermore protected for donors to come as the building is isolated from the Miri hospital main building,” she said.
She added they have imposed and tightened standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure the safety of the staff at the blood bank, its donors and patients receiving transfusions.
