SANDAKAN: Sandakan has not yet reached a self-sufficient level in addressing blood supply issues as it still requires blood supplies from other districts and states.
Sandakan Member of Parliament Vivian Wong said that the upcoming upgrade of Duchess of Kent Hospital to a state specialist hospital will further increase blood usage capacity.
“Duchess of Kent Hospital is planned to be upgraded from a major specialist hospital to a state specialist hospital, increasing from 400 beds to nearly 1,000 beds.
“This upgrade will certainly increase the number of patients coming to the hospital, and the demand for blood will continue to rise year by year due to the expansion of services and expertise that will be provided at this hospital in the future.
“Therefore, the community needs to be made aware that donating blood is a commendable voluntary practice with invaluable contributions,” she said.
Vivian said this when officiating at the World Blood Donor Day 2024 Celebration, here, Saturday.
Commenting on the insufficient blood supply for Sandakan, Vivian said it is contributed by many factors.
“Among the factors are the high number of Thalassemia patients and Thalassemia carriers (thalassemia trait) in Sabah, especially in Sandakan.
“In addition, there is a shortage of manpower to conduct more campaigns, a lack of equipment in blood banks, and insufficient funds for more effective promotion,” she said.
However, Vivian is confident that the economic development in the country, especially in Sabah, will improve in the future, and subsequently overcome the problems of manpower shortage and worn-out assets that have not been replaced for a long time.
“I also strongly support and will try to help as much as possible in the hospital’s efforts to carry out promotional and educational activities like this World Blood Donor Day event, so that our community becomes aware and more interested in coming forward to donate blood.
“This is in line with the concept of blood donation being carried out, even though it’s just one pint of blood, it can have a significant impact on the patient who receives it,” she added.
