Ting (third right) joins Karambir (third left), Miri Hospital blood bank public relations officer Kenneth Numan (fourth left), MRC Miri members and other medical personnel in a group photo.
MIRI: Miri Hospital is among the hospitals in Sarawak that have been helping to replenish blood stock in Sabah, which is now facing a shortage amidst the spike in positive Covid-19 cases.
In stating this, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Sebastian Ting calls upon more members of the public to come and donate blood to ensure that the blood stock would continue to be sufficient.
“Blood donation is beyond volunteerism – what all the blood donors contribute is much more valuable; it’s something that money can’t buy.
“Every pint can save at least three lives. I understand that the pandemic is making our lives much more difficult than before, but those who can should continue donating blood so as to help those in need,” said Ting when met after visiting the MRC Training Centre, which held its 70th blood donation drive yesterday.
Adding on, the Piasau assemblyman also commended Miri Hospital and its blood bank unit, as well as the local chapter of the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC), for their ongoing efforts in raising the awareness of the importance of blood donation and also holding the drives regularly.
Later, Ting distributed 2,000 pieces of face masks to the participants.
It is reported that out of the 53 registering for the drive yesterday, 40 had successfully donated blood.
Meanwhile, MRC Miri’s Blood Donor Recruitment Committee deputy chairman Karambir Singh said since March 25 when the static donation centre was set up at the MRC Training Centre, the team had recorded a total of 2,775 registered participants – 2,332 of whom were successful blood donors.
The MRC Training Centre is running its 71st blood donation today, from 8.30am to 1pm.