With the nation’s blood supply constantly in need of replenishing during the pandemic, Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care (RSDH) facilities successfully collected close to 200 packs of blood in 2021 through blood donation drives in partnership with the National Blood Centre (Pusat Darah Negara) and with the support of the public and volunteers from the hospitals.
A RSDH spokesperson said, “During these challenging times, it is heart-warming to see Malaysians doing their part to boost the country’s blood supply. We are grateful for this simple act of giving blood that can have a tremendous life-altering impact. With blood being a vital necessity, there is always a need to ensure the nation’s blood bank is sufficiently equipped.”
Ara Damansara Medical Centre (ADMC) held its drive twice last year with its donors including the hospital’s corporate clients pitching in to roll up their sleeves for the worthy cause. ADMC plans to continue its efforts in 2022 with the first blood donation drive in the new year set to take place in January in conjunction with the hospital’s 10th anniversary.
At ParkCity Medical Centre (PMC), the blood donation drive was themed ‘Give the Gift of Blood and Be a Superhero’. The six-hour long activity saw blood being collected from the day’s superheroes who mainly comprised of the hospital staff and the public from the surrounding Desa ParkCity community
Meanwhile Bukit Tinggi Medical Centre (BTMC), formerly known as Manipal Hospitals Klang, collaborated with Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah to host a blood drive. BTMC plans to run two blood donation drives annually to ensure an adequate supply of blood is always readily available.
RSDH’s flagship hospital Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) has its own blood bank which is usually restocked over the year with blood donated by staff and the public as and when required.
The RSDH spokesperson added, “Blood donation drives are an integral part of our corporate social responsibility under the umbrella of RSD Cares and a further testament of the RSDH motto of ‘People Caring for People’. Through RSD Cares, our hospitals give back to the community via various large- and small-scale initiatives that can contribute to people’s health and well-being. With more such blood drives planned this year, we aim to increase the total amount of blood collected with the help of the caring public and hospital staff.”
To be eligible to donate blood, one must be in good physical and mental health, not have a chronic medical illness and not be on long-term medications. Donors should not fast and have adequate rest the night before. In addition, donors will undergo a blood test to identify the blood group and have a counselling session with either a medical officer or nurse prior to giving blood.
