More blood drives needed to replenish blood bank

BLOOD drives should be commonly practiced by all sectors in order to help replenish the blood bank of hospitals in the country, which uses approximately 40 to 50 pints, equivalent to 5 to 6.25 gallons, of blood everyday.

Blood bank supervisor from the Department of Laboratory Services Hj Matusop Hj Daud during the Embassy of Kuwait's blood drive yesterday said that ongoing blood drives should be continuously practised to match this demand.

"We need to have a (blood donation) campaign everyday so we can meet that demand and also increase our stock in case of emergencies," he said.

Hj Matusop added that members of the public need not wait for a blood drive to make their donation, they can also visit the Blood Donation Centre at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (Ripas) Hospital or the nearest health centre to donate their blood.

He encouraged those aged 18 and above, healthy with sufficient iron in their blood and those who do not possess any chronic diseases or under any medication, to make their donation.

Hj Matusop said that no specific blood type is currently in need but that those with blood type 'O', known as "universal donors", are often encouraged to donate due to its ability to transfuse with other blood types.

He explained that although blood types with positive rhesus (eg A+, B+ and AB+) are the most common blood types in Brunei, other blood types are also needed to replenish the blood supply as those in need of blood transfusions may not always fall into the common positive rhesus category.

"You might never know who needs them, each week might demand different blood types from the (blood) bank," he said.

Hj Matusop said that there has been an increase in blood drives in the country as the Blood Donation Centre often receives invites from government and private agencies to assist them in their blood campaigns.

The blood drive yesterday saw 10 blood donors making their contribution which started off with Kuwaiti Ambassador Ghassan Mohammed Abdurrahman Al-Duwaisan as the first blood donor, followed by other Kuwaiti diplomats and embassy staff.

The Kuwaiti Embassy's Public Relations Officer, Qazi Tassadaq Rashid, said that the blood drive was organised to encourage the public to donate blood and to promote good health. The embassy also plans to organise a blood drive every three months, starting with the one held yesterday.

The Brunei Times