Only 2.5% of M'sians are blood donors
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Only 2.5 per cent of Malaysians are blood donors, compared to international standards of 5 per cent of a country's population, said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
Muhyiddin said various initiatives should be taken to increase the awareness on blood donation among Malaysians.
He said that although the supply at the National Blood Bank is at a satisfactory level now, the need for blood is expected to increase in the future.
Muhyiddin said non-governmental organisations and the private sectors should also contribute by carrying out more blood donation drives nationwide.
“I believe the private sectors can contribute to this cause through their corporate social responsibility initiative.
“This can help increase the awareness and encourage more people to come forward and donate blood,” said Muhyiddin at the blood donation drive organised by the Muhyiddin Yassin (TSM) Charity Golf Foundation.
Muhyiddin, who is the founder of the TSM Charity Golf, said the foundation would continue with more blood donation drive programmes to help the people.
He said the blood donation drive organised by his foundation over the past three years has helped more than 1,500 patients in need of blood.
“They could have died or be in serious condition if there was not enough blood, but thankfully, we were able to save them to a certain extent,” he said.
National Blood Bank deputy director Afifah Hasan said the number of blood donors has increased over the years, but more should be done to ensure the supply is sustained.
She said that in 2012, 647,851 units of blood was collected, while last year, more than 700,000 units were collected.
