THE supply of blood in the country is still at a sufficient so far, said National Blood Centre (PDN) director Dr Noryati Abu Amin.

However, she said the PDN and other blood centres are still in need of blood donors to continue replenishing blood stock at an optimum level at all times.

She said blood donation is still available during the movement control order (MCO) period as the activity is considered an essential service under the Health Ministry for the treatment of patients.

While blood donation throughout the country will be affected following the Covid-19 outbreak and enforcement of the MCO, Dr Noryati said various efforts, including stepping up promotions via social media as well as extending operation hours at collection centres, have been carried out.

“So far, the supply of all types of blood is sufficient. However, many blood donation campaigns were cancelled over fears that the people may be infected with Covid-19, which also caused a drop in the number of donors,” she said.

Dr Noryati added that several additional measures were taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19 when individuals came to donate blood, among them, limiting the number of donors at a location at any one time.

“Apart from that, measures, such as social distancing and practice of good hygiene, especially washing hands with soap and water as well as providing initial screening, such as temperature checks and inquiring about travel history of the donor,” she said.

She urged people to continue donating blood regularly to ensure the supply of blood is always at a safe level.

“Having an adequate supply of blood at all times is very important to treat patients, such as emergency victims, expecting mothers who may experience bleeding complications during delivery, cancer and thalassemia patients as well as patients undergoing major surgeries,” she said.

The public can donate blood at three locations in the Klang Valley, namely the PDN in Jalan Tun Razak on Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 8pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 6pm.

Besides that, the PDN Donation Suite in Midvalley Megamall starts daily from 10am to 5pm while the Puspanita Blood Donation Suite in Putrajaya operates from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 7pm and on weekends from 9am to 6pm.

Meanwhile, the blood supply at the Blood Centre of Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital Seremban (HTJS) is also sufficient, said Negri Sembilan acting Health director Dr Mohammad Faid Abd Rashid.

He said the centre has enough blood for patients.

“During the MCO period, the centre is still operating on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 3pm and on Monday to Friday from 8am to 4.30pm.

“The supply of blood, however, depends on healthy and non-risky donors who have to adhere to the regulations of the hospital,” he said.

Dr Faid said those who display Covid-19 symptoms, have just returned from abroad or have close contact with suspected Covid-19 cases will not be allowed to donate blood. – Bernama, March 21, 2020.