Kota Kinabalu: Sabah requires around 100,000 units of blood annually to meet the needs of patients across the State.
Chief Political Secretary to the Chief Minister Datuk Azrul Ibrahim said Sabah continues to face a blood shortage that must be addressed through the active participation of the public, government departments, agencies and the private sector in sustaining blood donation campaigns.
“Sabah requires more than 100,000 units of blood each year, yet only about 70,000 units were collected last year. This means we are still facing a shortage of nearly 25,000 units.
“I urge all Sabahans to come forward and donate blood to ensure the State’s blood supply needs are met, not only at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) II but throughout Sabah.
“We understand there are significant challenges, particularly in remote areas that are difficult for hospital authorities to access for community engagement activities.
“To address this, QEH II, in collaboration with various parties, has organised outreach programmes and mobile blood donation campaigns by deploying staff to strategic locations to replenish blood stocks based on demand.
“I also encourage government departments, agencies and private organisations to organise blood donation drives consistently and on a regular basis to ensure Sabah maintains an adequate blood supply.
“This effort is crucial because it is not only about healthcare, but also about saving lives, including those of our own family members who may need blood at any time,” he told reporters after officiating at the World Blood Donor Day celebration at QEH II here on Monday.
Azrul also proposed that the State Government, together with relevant stakeholders, identify high-traffic locations such as shopping malls as permanent blood donation centres to make it more convenient for the public to donate.
“Various initiatives and approaches must be implemented by all parties to ensure Sabah’s blood bank remains adequately stocked to meet the State’s growing needs,” he said.
He also congratulated the management of QEH II for successfully organising the celebration, which received an encouraging response from voluntary blood donors.
About 200 units of blood were expected to be collected during the programme.
Also present were QEH II Director Dr Ferro Firdaus Ibrahim and Head of the Transfusion Medicine Department Dr Shahnaz Irwani Sabri.
