THE Health Ministry may need to come up with innovative ways to address a blood shortage during the movement control period, said Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. 

On the status of blood banks, he told a press conference in Putrajaya today: “We have a shortage, but less blood is used because hospitals have postponed elective surgeries.”

“But we are still looking at how we can continue with a blood donation campaign.”

Dr Noor Hisham said the ministry may consider going house to house to collect blood, in addition to a hotline for those who want to donate. 

“Because we have the ongoing movement control order, we are trying to innovate. Maybe there could be some form of ‘uberisation’ where we come to your home to collect blood. Call us and we will send a team for you to donate blood.” 

Uberisation is the utilisation of computing platforms, such as mobile applications, to match users and providers on a massive scale.

A total of 106 new Covid-19 infections were reported today. This brings the total number of cases in Malaysia to 1,624.

About 60% of all Covid-19 cases are related to a tabligh event held at Masjid Jamek Sri Petaling from February 27 to March 1, which saw more than 14,500 locals attending. – March 24, 2020.