TAWAU: Blood usage at Tawau Hospital is expected to increase when the new hospital building becomes operational, as more subspecialties will be offered to treat patients in the district.
Tawau Hospital Transfusion Medicine Unit Head Dr Nurul Huda Abd Kadir said currently, approximately 200 to 250 bags of blood are needed every week for patients in the district hospital.
"This number will certainly increase when the new hospital building begins operations … Blood is needed for surgical cases and to help accident victims who have lost blood.
"The same goes for the treatment of leukaemia, cancer, kidney failure and thalassemia patients,” she said, when speaking at the Blood Donor Appreciation Ceremony, officiated by Tawau Hospital Director Dr Norlimah Arsad, here, on Friday.
In this regard, Dr Nurul Huda urged the community in this district to come forward and donate blood consistently to help meet the continuous need for blood usage.
“You are our heroes... When you return home, please convey blood donation messages to your family members, friends and neighbours to come forward and donate blood.”
“It is hoped that what is being implemented can bring smiles to those in need,” she added.
Meanwhile, Dr Norlimah said they greatly appreciated the service of blood donors who sacrificed their time and energy to donate blood to help patients in need.
She said this appreciation was expressed through the organisation of an appreciation ceremony by selecting five award categories for blood donors who are always sincere in carrying out their social responsibilities to the community.
The five awards, she said, are the Platelet Apheresis Donor Award presented to three recipients, the More Than 60 Times Blood Donor Award (two people), and the Rhesus (D) Negative Donor Award (four people).
Also presented were the Most Frequent Donor Award for Male Category to eight recipients and the Most Frequent Donor Award for Female Category (two people).
According to her, the programme was held in conjunction with the World Blood Donor Day 2024 Celebration at the Tawau Hospital-level, celebrated on June 14 every year with this year’s theme “20 years of celebrating giving: Thank you blood donors”.
She said on July 14, some 324 bags of blood were collected during a large blood donation programme in conjunction with the celebration held by Tawau Hospital in collaboration with the Tawau Parliament and other agencies.
