THERE will be no issues for blood donors to travel to government health facilities to donate blood during the movement-control order (MCO) period, said Health Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

He said the matter has been discussed with the police and there will be no hassles for donors to go through roadblocks.

“Once you go to the hospital and have donated blood, we will give you a letter,” he told at his daily media briefing on the Covid-19 situation today.

He also encouraged the public to come forward to donate blood, adding that there is currently a 30% shortage in supply.

“Every year, without fail, when it comes to Ramadan we do have a shortage of blood,” he said.

“The MCO has also helped reduce the demand for blood as unlike previous years, there have been fewer accidents and trauma cases.

“However, the blood is still needed for other cases,” he said.

Earlier today, senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said blood donors are allowed to go to hospitals and health clinics to donate blood from 10am-10pm during the MCO period.

This was due to a shortage at blood banks, the senior minister said.

On a separate note, Noor Hisham said nine former Covid-19 patients had come forward to donate their blood samples for the ministry for research.

“Three have donated more than once,” he said.

The nine are linked to the cluster created by the UDA chairman, who had infected some 120 people. – April 27, 2020.