KUCHING: Blood donations to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) have gone up by about 20 per cent in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic
Head of the Transfusion Services and Blood Bank Department Dr Mohammad Marin Md Zahrin said the increase occurred after the COVID-19 standard operating procedures were relaxed.
“The public is not concerned and our donors have been vaccinated,” Marin said when reporters asked if those who had contracted COVID-19 can donate blood.
“COVID-19 patients in categories one and two are allowed to donate 10 days after recovery, and any in categories four, five and six are advised to donate six months after they have recovered.”
He said that the SGH fund is targeting 150 blood donors for today’s World Blood Donor Day programme held at their establishments.
As to whether there’s enough blood supply in the SGH blood bank, he said it is enough and at a safe level presently.
“However, donated blood have a specific shelf life … as a result, we need a continuous supply.
“We encourage donors to continue donating every three months and we also hope that non-donors would be a part of this programme and support the state’s blood bank,” he added
